30-Day Plan to Keep Your Little Ones Safe
In celebration of National Baby Safety Month, we thought we’d share this baby safety plan prepared by Lisa Carter and Lori Margues for FamilyResources.com.
To view the entire 30-day plan, click here.
September 16: Stroller check. If your stroller is collapsible, be sure latches are secure before putting baby in. Always check that your child’s arms are out of the way when reversing handle directions so they won’t get pinched. Be sure to use that safety strap. Don’t hang overloaded or heavy bags on the handle of the stroller, this may cause it to tip over.
September 17: Review your cooking habits. Are you using the back burners first and turning the pot handles to the back of the stove? Use the back burners for frying and boiling foods.
September 18: Talk to your children about stove and oven safety. Teach them they are hot and never to touch them.
September 19: If you have an unused freezer or refrigerator stored in your garage or yard, have it removed. Be sure to store it with the door towards the wall until it’s gone. Children can climb inside and suffocate.
September 20: How are the latches on your cupboards holding up? Have any broken off and need to be replaced?
September 21: Can you name the 12 most common choking foods for kids under five? *Answers listed at the end.
September 22: Don’t leave toddlers alone while eating, if they begin to choke you need to be nearby to assist.
September 23: Get a piggy bank: this is a great place to put coins so they don’t end up on the floor, in the couch cushions and then baby’s mouth.
September 24: Flush old/expired prescriptions and medications down the toilet. Be sure that medications are placed up high where little ones can not get access to them, keeping in mind that they can climb. Don’t call medication “candy.” They are unable to discern the difference.
September 25: Never leave your child unattended in the bathtub. If the phone rings, let the machine get it, or bring a cordless phone into the bathroom with you. Wait until baby can sit alone to give baths in the tub. It’s easier in the sink until then. Check that the hot water heater is not set any higher than 120 degrees.
September 26: Do a quick survey of your yard every time the kids are going out to play. Is there any yard equipment that they have access to? Trimmers, lawnmowers, etc. cause injury to children every year.
September 27: Check the cords on your miniblinds and draperies. These have caused many strangulations among young children. Be sure they are tied up or cut off and kept out of your child’s reach. The loop of the cord should break apart if you slide your hand between the two cords.
September 28: Bolt bookshelves to the walls. Climbing little ones can bring the entire unit toppling over on them.
September 29: Enroll in an infant/child CPR and first aid class. This will be a valuable investment of your time.
September 30: Get down on your hands and knees and crawl through your house. See what your child is seeing. Have you missed anything?
*Answers to 21: Common choking foods for children under five years: Popcorn, hot dogs, chunks of meat, raisins, ice cubes, chunky peanut butter, peanuts (nuts of any kind), hard candy, grapes, raw carrots, potato chips and corn chips.
Tags: Baby, Baby Sleeps Safe, Dr. Vicki Folds, Infant Safety, National Baby Safety Month, parenting, SIDS, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome