Baby Safety Month & Tips

Posted by

National Baby Safety Month exists to increase consumer awareness of safety issues surrounding the safe use and selection of juvenile products. Raising a bundle of joy takes care and knowledge to ensure the first years are happy and healthy. Safe guarding your home before your little one starts staking his first steps is an important task that should not be overlooked.

 Here are some tips and suggestions to help make sure the rooms in your home are ready for your scooting, tumbling, and rolling little one.

 Kitchen

  • Stove knobs are fun to twist. Consider getting stove knob covers to help keep them turned off.
  • Under-Sink Cabinets are a great place to store cleaning supplies and other chemicals. Make sure to get cabinet and drawer locks to keep children out and doors securely shut.
  • Pet food is choking hazard for your little one. Remember to immediately remove the bowl if your pet does not eat it right away.

 Bathroom

  • Toilet locks can be used to ensure fingers won’t get smashed or pinched by your child. It also helps prevent any unsanitary exposure.
  • Keep flat or curling iron and blow dryer cords out of baby’s reach to avoid strangulation and burns.
  • Always test water temperature before placing your child into the tub! Install an anti-scald device at on the faucet to make sure the water is the correct temperature.
  • Place non-slip mats in and outside of the tub, as well as on any hard surfaced floors.

 Living Room

  • Coffee tables, TV stands, and fireplace mantels have sharp corners at eye level for someone 2 feet tall and under. Make sure to cushion the edges with bumpers.
  • Secure TVs, bookcases and other furniture to the wall with bolts or adjustable straps to keep your child from pulling on anything that may fall on top of them.
  • Make sure the cords from any blinds or shades are out of your child’s reach.
  • Place a gate in front of any set of stairs.
  • Plastic outlet covers can also serve as a potential choking hazard. Consider using sliding covers instead.

 Nursery

  • Make sure your child’s crib fits the new safety standards that went into effect nationwide in June, and that it is not a drop-side.
  • Bumpers, blankets, pillows and stuffed animals are potential suffocation hazards in your child’s crib. Make sure those items are removed to protect your child.
  • If you are using a baby monitor, make sure cords are wound tight or away from baby’s reach.

 These are just a few suggestions on ways to make certain rooms in your house safe for your child. An abundance of information and materials are available today for parents looking for baby gear safety information.

Here are some additional resources for you to check out not only for your home, but for products you may be using for your child as well:

 The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) is a national trade organization representing 95% of the prenatal to preschool industry. The primary goal of JPMA is to develop consumer education programs related to product safety. You can visit their website at http://www.jpma.org/bsm/2011/index.php to learn more.

 The Home Safety Council® (HSC) educates people of all ages about home safety. The Home Safety Council is the leading source for home safety tips, checklists and information about home fire safety, falls prevention, poison prevention, water safety, child safety, disaster preparedness as well as many other home safety topics. You can visit their website at http://www.homesafetycouncil.org.

 30 Day Plan to Make Your House Safe for Baby: http://www.familycorner.com/parenting/safety/babysafety.shtml .