Understanding Infant & Child Safety · 2019-10-04 · These room-by-room tips can help make your home as safe as possible for your growing family. Go through each . room and use these

Understanding Infant & Child Safety

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Stages of ChildproofingIt’s never too soon to start childproofing. All children reach developmental milestones at different times, so it’s better to be prepared. Use this checklist as a guide for your child’s age.

Newborn Safety starts now

■ Check Baby’s crib to ensure it meets safety guidelines

■ Remove pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, and bumpers from the crib

■ Place baby monitors and cords at least 3 feet away from crib

■ Replace or secure cords window coverings

■ Stay with your baby at all times during a bath

■ Use straps on changing table and keep your hands on your baby

■ Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

■ Install gates

■ Adjust water heater to 120°F (48.9°C)

■ Anchor TVs and furniture

■ Install a fence around any pool or hot tub (also consider a pool alarm)

■ Do not use baby walkers

Crawlers On the move

■ Keep toilet lids closed or install a latch

■ Cover electrical outlets lower than counter height

■ Remove nightlights that are in lower outlets

■ Cover sharp furniture edges and corners

■ Use a fireplace safety screen

■ Secure or hide electrical cords

■ Install latches on appliance doors

■ Keep floor clear of choking hazards

■ Keep household cleaners and medicines out of reach

■ Post (and memorize) the number for Poison Control (1.800.222.1222)

■ Turn pot handles inward and use back burners

■ Anchor your stove (be sure furniture and TVs are anchored)

■ Empty bathtubs, splash pools, and buckets of water after using

■ Always supervise your crawler with older siblings or children who visit



Toddler Active and Curious

■ Keep windows latched or use window guards and stops

■ Lock doors to the outside

■ Keep medications up high or locked away

■ Unplug small appliances and keep out of reach

■ Remove sharp items from countertops

■ Secure doors to off-limit areas (garages, sheds, basements)

■ Install stove knob covers

■ Place hot foods and lit candles in the center of tables and countertops—do not

use tablecloths or placemats

■ Be careful with step stools and chairs (especially if you have a climber)

■ Do not place couches and other furniture near windows or unsafe

window coverings

■ Keep electronic devices (cell phones, tablets, computers) out of reach while

they are charging

■ Remove any storage trunks or chests that cannot be opened from the inside

Child Growing fast, doing more, and testing boundaries

■ When they are ready for a bed, find one that is low to the ground

■ Recheck latches, locks, and gates to see if they are still strong enough for your child

■ Explain why certain things are dangerous (but do not expect they will understand yet)

■ Continue keeping cleaners and medications out of reach

■ Teach children what to do if the smoke detector goes off and make an escape plan

■ Keep matches and lighters out of reach

■ Install window guards or stops on upper floors (if you have not already done so)

■ Do not allow your child to use the microwave

■ Teach your child their full name, street address, and a parent’s phone number

■ Continue watching your child during bath time

■ Keep guns unloaded and locked in a cabinet or safe

■ Remove any storage trunks or chests that cannot be opened from the inside



Room-by-Room Safety ChecklistThese room-by-room tips can help make your home as safe as possible for your growing family. Go through each room and use these recommendations to childproof your home.

Kitchen:

■ Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen

■ Store sharp objects (such as knives) out of reach

■ Keep medicines and vitamins out of reach

■ Lock away any poisons and household products, such as cleaning supplies and alcohol

■ Install ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets around any water source

■ Unplug appliances that are not in use and tie up long cords

■ Make sure the highchair is sturdy and has a safety belt

Bathroom:

■ To avoid burns, set your hot water heater to 120°F (48.9°C) (or lower) and consider putting anti-scald devices on faucets

■ Test bathwater with your wrist or elbow before bathing your child (some bath toys have built-in hot water sensors)

■ Never leave water in the tub (drain after every use)

■ Install locks on the toilet, keep the lid closed, and keep the bathroom door closed

■ Keep vitamins, medicines, and personal care products locked up or out of reach

■ Buy products with child-safety caps

■ Keep electronics away from sources of water

■ Use a non-skid rug on the floor

■ If your bath tub has a smooth surface, use an anti-slip mat or decals



Living Areas:

■ Have a working smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector (they should be located at least 15 feet away from any fuel-burning appliance)

■ Place space heaters at least 2 feet away from anything that could catch fire

■ Gates need to be properly installed at the top and bottom of all stairs

■ Secure tall and heavy furniture (including televisions) to walls using furniture straps or anchors

■ Remove poisonous houseplants

■ Place covers on all electrical outlets (if you use individual outlet caps, choose bigger ones that are not choking hazards)

■ Remove area rugs or add non-skid backing under them

■ Remove or cushion sharp-edged furniture

■ Consider replacing wax candles with LED candles

■ Window covering cords should be out of reach of children

■ Install window guards or stops on all windows

Nursery/Child’s Bedroom:

■ Have a working smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector

■ To reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) always lay your baby down to sleep on their back, have a firm, tight-fitting mattress, remove everything else from their crib, and use a sleep sack, not loose blankets, to keep them warm.

■ Use a crib that meets current standards, and position it in the room away from furniture, windows, blinds, and drapery cords

■ Furniture (including the crib) should not have openings of more than 2³⁄8 inches

■ Look for the JPMA certification seal on your baby equipment

■ Secure tall and heavy furniture to walls using furniture straps or anchors

■ Register all products so you are alerted if there is a recall

■ Always keep the sides of mesh playpens and portable cribs in a locked position

■ Remove any strings that are on baby products (pacifiers, bibs, and toys)

■ Store all baby supplies, diapers, and toiletries within your reach, but out of your baby’s reach

■ Use a toilet paper roll as a small parts tester to make sure a toy is not a choking hazard

■ Use toy chests/storage with removeable lids, lids with holes, or spring-loaded supports to prevent accidental suffocation



Other Bedrooms:

■ Have a working smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector wherever anyone sleeps

■ Store vitamins, medicines, and household products locked or out of reach

■ Secure tall and heavy furniture to walls using furniture straps or anchors

■ For newborns, have a dedicated sleep area in your room (bed sharing is not recommended), so they can room-in for at least the first 6 months of their life (ideally for the first year)

■ Place covers on all electrical outlets (if you use individual outlet caps, choose bigger ones that are not choking hazards)

Garage/Shed:

■ Keep all poisonous products (including windshield wiper fluid, fertilizer, gasoline, and antifreeze) locked up or out of reach

■ Keep all containers of flammable liquids (such as paint and solvents) stored in their original containers and away from things like water heaters and furnaces

■ Keep a fire extinguisher in the garage at all times

■ Empty all buckets after use and store them upside down

■ Install an automatic garage door opener with an approved safety mechanism

■ Do not warm up your car inside the garage; do it outside instead

■ Install a carbon monoxide detector in your garage

Backyard:

■ If you have a pool, make sure it has a four-sided fence and self-closing, self-latching gate

■ If you have an in-ground pool, make sure it has anti-entrapment drain covers and a safety vacuum release system (children can become trapped underwater by suction in the drain)

■ Inflatable kiddie pools should be surrounded by a fence, just like any other pool, or emptied when not in use

■ Cover and lock hot tubs when not in use

■ Pick up items in your yard that could be dangerous to your children (ladders, garden tools, hoses, and chemicals)

■ Remove poisonous plants and flowers

■ Do not leave your grill unattended and make sure propane, matches, and lighter fluid are locked up after use

■ Check all play structures for signs of wear or breakage and fix them before allowing your children to use them

■ Have shock-absorbing materials (pea gravel, mulch, or rubber surface) under all play structures and covering at least 6 feet in all directions

• Keep babies under 6 months out of direct sunlight.

• Dress babies in lightweight clothing.• Apply sunscreen with at least 15 SPF

(if needed). Encourage children to drink water when it is hot outside.

• Look for safe surfaces (rubber mats, wood chips, mulch, and sand)—3 out of 4 playground injuries come from falls.

• Watch for anyone who seems suspicious (talk to older children about “stranger danger”).

• Make sure that play structures are safe (avoid wooden structures, exposed metal edges, or rusty equipment).

• Check the temperature of the equipment before letting your child use it—metal and plastic slides get very hot!

• Keep your child away from roads and parking lots.

• Always hold your child’s hand as you walk through the parking lot.

• Insects are often found around trees—check the area to reduce the risk.

• If you live in an area with ticks, check your child after playing outside.

• Stay off your phone and watch your child at all times—accidents happen quickly!

• Make sure that you use age appropriate playground equipment.

• Teach children about proper playground behavior.




Understanding PREGNANCY TO PARENTING

Car Seat InstallationGeneral Installation StepsAlong with the car seat manual, follow these general steps to install your rear-facing infant carrier car seat with your seatbelt or the LATCH system (do not use them together). Remember to install it in the back seat of your car. Once you have it installed, have it checked at a certified inspection location. Go to safercar.gov to find one near you.

Securing Your Baby

• Be sure that the harness shoulder straps are positioned so that they are level with, or below, your baby’sshoulders—not above them.

• Snap the harness retainer clip together. Slide it to armpit level, where it will stay during travel.• Tighten the harness. If you can pinch a fold of the harness at your baby’s shoulders, then it is too loose.

Installing with Seatbelt Installing With LATCH

Note: To use LATCH, your vehicle must have lower LATCH anchors and your car seat must have LATCH connectors.

1. Thread the seatbelt throughthe belt path on the base andbuckle it.

1. Hook both LATCH connec-tors on the base to the loweranchor bars.

4. Click the seat onto thebase. Check your car seat’sinstruction manual to be sureyou are traveling with the han-dle in the correct position.

2. Press down on the centerof the base and pull the straptight.

5. Check the angle of the seatusing the “recline indicator”that tells you when your seat isreclined correctly.

3. Using one hand, pull andpush on the base (side to sideand front to back) with the forceof a handshake. It should notmove more than one inch.

2. Lock the belt. Check yourvehicle owner’s manual to seehow to lock the seatbelt in yourown vehicle. (Or see if the baselocks the belt for you.)

3. Press down on the center ofthe base and remove any slackfrom the belt. Continue until thebase is secure.

4. Using one hand, pull andpush on the base (side to sideand front to back) with theforce of a handshake. It shouldnot move more than one inch.

5. Click the seat onto the base.Check your car seat’s instructionmanual to be sure you are travelingwith the handle in the correctposition.

6. Check the angle of the seatusing the “recline indicator”that tells you when your seat isreclined correctly.



In Case of EmergencyWhether it’s a tornado, earthquake, hurricane, fire, or other crisis, a little preparation and planning goes a long way in an emergency situation.

Tips for Preparing Children for Emergencies:

• Teach children how to contact 9-1-1. Explain what it is, when they should call, and what they should say. Then, practice with them.

• Talk to your children (in an age-appropriate way) about natural hazards that are common in your area (earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.) .

• Create a family emergency plan—include children in creating the plan.

• As your children age, review what they should do at school if there is an emergency.

Helping Kids Cope:

• Be aware that children may react in different ways and not the way adults do.

• Stay calm in any emergency and explain the situation in a way they understand.

• Talk to them about their fears and tell them it is okay to be scared.

• Encourage children to talk and take the time to listen to what they say.

• Follow normal routines as much as possible.

• Give children some control and allow them to be a part of any recovery activities.

Emergency Kit Checklist

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), your emergency kit should include:

■ At least 3 gallons of water per person

■ Enough food to last at least 3 days (72 hours)

(canned goods and dried foods)

■ Can opener

■ Flashlight and extra batteries

■ First-aid kit

■ Radio (with extra batteries)

■ Whistle

■ Dust masks

■ Wrench or pliers

■ Medication

■ Personal hygiene items

■ Fire extinguisher

■ Change of clothing for each person

■ Sleeping bag/warm blanket for each person

■ Matches in a waterproof container

■ If necessary, diapers or infant formula

■ If necessary, pet food and extra water



Parent Quiz1. All of these are way’s to reduce your

baby’s risk of SIDS, except:

a. Keeping your baby away from cigarette smoke

b. Putting your baby to sleep on their back in a safe crib

c. Putting nothing in the crib but your baby

d. Using a positioner in the crib

2. Infants should be rear-facing until they meet the height and weight recommendations for your specific car seat.

a. True

b. False

3. What are some of the recommendations for reducing the risk of backovers?

a. Walk around your car before getting in it

b. Shut your radio off

c. Don’t rely on back-up cameras—also use your mirrors

d. If your child wants to wave bye, have them stand inside the door or with an adult

e. All of the above

4. Which of the following foods are common choking risks? (Choose all correct answers)

a. Grapes

b. Peas

c. Blueberries

d. Hot dogs

e. Popcorn

5. Which type of gate should be used at the top and bottom of stairs?

a. Pressure-mounted gate

b. Hardware-mounted gate

c. Neither

6. Baby walkers are good way to help your children learn to walk.

a. True

b. False

7. How often should you replace the batteries in your smoke alarms?

a. Every month

b. Every 6 months

c. Every year

d. Every 10 years

8. What is the highest temperature you should set your hot water heater to?

a. 100°F

b. 120°F

c. 135°F

d. 150°F

9. What should you do to reduce the risk of strangulation for your baby?

a. Use Velcro bibs

b. Put electrical cords out of reach

c. Do not use clothing with drawstrings

d. Avoid using teething necklaces

e. All of the above

10. What distance should lamps and space heaters be from walls and curtains?

a. 6 inches

b. 12 inches

c. 18 inches

d. 24 inches

Continued on back



11. All parents and caregivers should take a class in infant and child CPR, even if they’ve taken a class in the past.

a. True

b. False

12. An emergency kit should have enough food, water and other supplies to last for how long?

a. 24 hours (1 day)

b. 48 hours (2 days)

c. 72 hours (3 days)

d. 1 week (7 days)

13. Identify the risks of drowning.

a. Pools

b. Toilets

c. Buckets with water in them

d. Bathtubs

e. All of the above

14. Personal products, including toothpaste and mouthwash, are poisons that should be kept out of reach of children.

a. True

b. False

Answer Key 1. D 2. A 3. E 4. A, D, E 5. B 6. B 7. C 8. B 9. E 10. D 11. A 12. C 13. E 14. A

Documents

Understanding Infant & Child Safety · 2019-10-04 · These room-by-room tips can help make your home as safe as possible for your growing family. Go through each . room and use these