Child Safety

General Safety Reminders

• It is always best that someone in the house take an infant CPR class.
• Wash your hands often to prevent infections from spreading; have visitors and children wash too.

Smoke-Free Zone

• Maintain a smoke-free zone around your baby.
• Do not allow smoking near your baby. Babies who grow up in homes with smoke get sick more often and stay sick longer.

Falls

• Most accidents involving newborns are the result of falls.
• Always place an infant seat on a hard, stable surface.
• Consider installing window guards.
• Remove furniture and objects that can be used for climbing.
• Baby gates can be effective for keeping baby out of harm’s way.
• Choose a high chair with a base that doesn’t wobble and make sure all hardware is intact. The safety belt should be connected to the chair and not the tray.
• Secure your baby in the stroller using the safety belt.
• Stay next to the baby during diaper changes; a baby can fall easily from a changing table.

Choking

• To prevent choking, never use cords in or near the crib or hang anything around the baby’s neck.
• Keep soft toys, pillows, quilts and loose plastic sheeting away from baby.
• As your child grows, his instincts are to place items in his mouth. Check all toys for small parts that could cause choking or sharp areas that could cause pain.