5 Top Safety Priorities For Your Baby

It's never too early to baby-proof your home. Even before your baby is mobile, risks abound. Before they're mobile, babies can't get into as much trouble on their own.  But there are many hidden hazards to watch out for.  And sometimes we don't realize that a hazard exists until an accident almost happens….or does actually take place.

Here are the top 5 safety priorities you need to be mindful of:

1.  Falls are the leading cause of accidental injury to children under the age of one. To prevent your baby from tumbling, and to avoid falls yourself, take these precautions:

• Always stay close to your baby when he's on a changing table or any elevated surface – even if he's strapped in. (That phone call can wait.)
• Put non-slip carpet grippers under your mats and area rugs , use a nightlight to illuminate hallways and stairs you may walk down at night, keep clutter off the floor and stairs, and use stair railings.
• Never turn your back on your baby – they will choose that split second to roll over.

2.  Cords are always a danger!  Watch for television cords, stereo equipment, cell phone chargers and anything with a rope or string.  If they got ahold of it and gave a big enough tug, there is the possibility your television could slip forward.   Just keep those cords wrapped up and tucked away.  This goes for cords for the blinds and curtain near the crib as well (strangulation hazard too).

• Move breakable objects that could fall, and make sure tall or unstable pieces of furniture and large or heavy pieces of art are secured to the wall with brackets or safety straps so they can't topple over.
• And don't hang heavy artwork above the crib.  A large framed piece hanging by a single nail is not always stable. It's best to secure it to another wall.

3.  Remove chokables – any small objects that are within your baby's reach. If it's small enough to fit through a roll of toilet paper , then it's a choking risk.

4.  Safe bathing – the bathtub is the most common location for home drowning deaths. Never leave your child unattended or out of reach during bath time, even for a second. 

• To prevent burns, always check the temperature of the bath water before putting your baby in the tub. Many baby bath toys and tubs have temperature sensors .  Use a Garaminals Water Thermometer or something similar.

• And adjust your water heater.  Find your hot water heater and make sure that you turn the temperature down so that it's set at 120 degrees or less. Anything higher than 120 degrees creates a water temperature that just in a matter of seconds can create a bad burn.

5.  Reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by following these guidelines.

• Put your baby to sleep on a firm mattress with a tight-fitting sheet.
• Don't put anything soft and cushy in your baby's sleeping space – no pillows, comforter, quilt, loose blankets, crib bumpers, or plush toys. If your baby needs an extra layer, use a sleep sack or wearable blanket.
• Every time that you put them down, baby should be sleeping on their back. Babies who are put on their back to sleep are at a much less risk of sudden infant death syndrome, so getting into that habit early is important.
• The mattress should fit tightly so your baby can't get trapped between it and the side of your bassinet or crib. To prevent injuries, make sure that the crib or bassinet is sturdy and stable, and doesn't have any missing or broken parts or any gaps greater than the width of a dollar bill.

At the recent Every Little Step program with momstown Kitchener-Waterloo, moms were pleased to receive some safety items from Walmart Canada (free shipping anytime!) that included cabinet locks from Safety 1st and sun shades from Brica.  Levana even gave away an Oma Portable Baby Movement Monitor to one lucky mom!

Remember, to always be safe with baby and keep yourself safe as well when carrying your baby.