Child celebrates board game win, family plays together

Creating a Safe Home for Babies & Toddlers

Home
Content Suite
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:

Number one symbol in a light purple circle

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.

Number three in blue on a pale background

Don’t forget your ABC’s!

Number four highlighted in a pale circle

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

Number five inside a light purple circle

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:

Prevent Child Injury at https://www.preventchildinjury.org/
Safe Kids Worldwide at https://www.safekids.org/
Until Help Arrives, FEMA: https://www.fema.gov/node/you-are-help-until-help-arrives-1

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#

Creating a Safe Home for Babies & Toddlers

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:

Get a good view

Follow Some Baby Proofing Basics:

Sleeping Safe

Outside Safety

Be Prepared for Emergencies

Need more info or resources? Check out:

REFERENCES:

Do you find this Blog helpful?

Kid-Friendly Apple Cinnamon Oat Cups | WIC Recipe

Protecting Your Family from Cyclospora: Summer Food & Water Safety

The Benefits of Family Meals for Kids and Parents

Creating a Safe Home for Babies & Toddlers

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:

Get a good view

Follow Some Baby Proofing Basics:

Sleeping Safe

Outside Safety

Be Prepared for Emergencies

Need more info or resources? Check out:

REFERENCES:

Do you find this Blog helpful?

You May Also Like...

Kid-Friendly Apple Cinnamon Oat Cups | WIC Recipe

Protecting Your Family from Cyclospora: Summer Food & Water Safety

The Benefits of Family Meals for Kids and Parents

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

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