Kids playing in living room

Creating a Safe Home for Babies & Toddlers

August 14, 2024 General /Family

Babies and toddlers are curious and love to explore, so it’s important for parents to make home a safe place to learn and play.

Sadly, accidents are the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 14.1

Help keep your little ones safe, both indoors and outdoors, as they grow more independent. Create a safer environment for your child with these easy steps:

Babies and toddlers are curious and love to explore, so it’s important for parents to make home a safe place to learn and play.

Sadly, accidents are the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 14.1

Help keep your little ones safe, both indoors and outdoors, as they grow more independent. Create a safer environment for your child with these easy steps:

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Get a good view

  • Get down on your hands and knees and look around each room in your home. This can help you spot things that your baby might reach for or find interesting.

Follow Some Baby Proofing Basics:

  • Cover electrical outlets and tuck away cords behind furniture.
  • Secure heavy furniture, like bookshelves and dressers, to the wall to prevent them from tipping over.
  • Remove clutter and keep sharp corners covered or padded.
  • Use safety gates to block stairs and rooms that are not safe for children.
  • Create barriers around fireplaces and wood-burning stoves.
  • Use toilet seat latches and never leave a child alone in the bathtub.
  • Keep children away from the kitchen stove, turn pot and pan handles inward, and store sharp objects out of reach.
  • Store cleaning products, medicines, and other harmful items in a locked cabinet.
  • Keep small items like batteries and magnets away from children.
  • Lower the water heater temperature to prevent burns.

Sleeping Safe

  • Make sure your child’s sleep environment is safe and appropriate for their age.
  • Remember the A, B, Cs of SAFE SLEEP for your baby’s first year:

ALONE – no blankets, pillows, toys, or other objects near your baby.

BACK – babies breathe easier and sleep better on their back.

CRIB – sharing a bed isn’t safe; babies need their own safe space.

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Don’t forget your ABC’s!
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Outside Safety

  • Lock doors and windows and use alarms to prevent children from wandering outside unsupervised.
  • If you have a pool, install proper fencing and alarms. Never leave a child alone near water.
  • Everyone over the age of 6 months needs sun protection. Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Babies younger than 6 months should stay out of the sun.2
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Be Prepared for Emergencies

  • Teach your children about safety and how to recognize and avoid dangers.
  • Show them how to call 911 and what to do in case of a fire.
  • Make sure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working.
  • Keep the Poison Control number handy (1-800-222-1222)
  • Consider learning basic first aid and CPR. Many local fire departments offer free classes.
By following these steps, you can make your home a safer place for your child to grow and explore. Remember, keeping an eye on your children, setting rules, and teaching them about safety, will all help to prevent accidents and injuries. Creating a safe environment for your baby takes work, but preventing an accident is well worth the effort to keep your little ones safe and healthy!

Need more info or resources? Check out:

REFERENCES:

1) Injuries and Violence Are Leading Causes of Death, CDC:
https://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/animated-leading-causes.html
2) Sunscreen FAQs, American Academy of Dermatology:
https://www.aad.org/media/stats-sunscreen#