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Sufocation
Because babies aren't yet able to raise their heads, they need special protection from suffocation. But small children are at risk, too. Protect your child from the dangers of suffocation by following these rules:
- Never place an infant face-down on soft surfaces such as a waterbed, quilt, sheepskin rug, or mattress cover.
- Never put an infant in a crib or on a bed with soft bedding, blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, or plush toys.
- Never put an infant down on a mattress covered with plastic or a plastic bag.
- Promptly dispose of plastic shopping bags and plastic dry-cleaning bags. Tie several knots in each bag before throwing it out.
- Keep plastic garbage bags and large sandwich-style plastic bags out of children's reach.
- When cleaning up after a birthday or holiday party, pay special attention to all plastic bags from packaging. Collect them and throw them out immediately.
- Make sure your baby's crib mattress fits snugly in the crib. This keeps a baby from getting caught between the mattress and the crib sides.
- Make sure your baby's crib sheet fits snugly on the mattress and can't come off and get wrapped around your baby's head. You also can buy crib sheet holders to keep sheets in place.
Be Prepared
If you're expecting a baby or you already have a child, it's a good idea to:
- Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the Heimlich maneuver.
- Keep the following near the phone (for yourself and caregivers):
1. toll-free poison-control number: (800) 222-1222
2. child's doctor's number
3. parents' work and cell phone numbers
4. neighbor's or nearby relative's number (if you need someone to watch other children in an emergency)
- Make a first-aid kit and keep emergency instructions inside.
- Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
Maintaining a Safe, Kid-Friendly Environment
To check your childproofing efforts, it's a good idea to get down on your hands and knees in every room of your home to see things from your child's perspective. Be aware of your child's surroundings and what might be potentially dangerous.
If you opt to minimally childproof, you can shut the doors (and install doorknob covers) to any room your child shouldn't enter to prevent wandering into places that haven't been properly childproofed. Doorknob covers and childproof locks for sliding doors are also great for keeping little ones from leaving your home. Of course, how much or how little you childproof your home is up to you. Supervision is the very best way to help prevent your child from getting injured. However, even the most vigilant parent can't keep a child 100% safe at all times.
Whether you have a baby, toddler, or school-age child, your home should be your little one's safe haven, where he or she can explore safely. After all, touching, holding, climbing, and exploring are the activities that develop your child's body and mind.
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