The world can be a dangerous place for infants and young children. As a parent, you can take precautions to protect your infant. The following information will help you create a safer environment for your infant so that you can prevent some of the most common and potentially fatal accidents from ever occurring.
Car Seat
An infant under the age of 1 should be in a rear-facing, newer car seat with a three- or five-point harness system. Read all associated manuals and instruction handbooks that come with your infant car seat and install according to the directions. A used car seat can be more economical, but you may not receive installation manuals or a safe seat. Structural damage due to use or an accident is not always obvious. Therefore, you are better off using a car seat that is less than six years old. Before bringing your baby home from the hospital, learn your state's car seat laws.
Falls
Never leave an infant alone in place where he could roll or fall off and hurt himself. Such places can include counter tops, tables, changing tables, beds and stairs. Always keep one hand on your infant when he is on a high surface. Install safety gates at the top of your stairway, and when your baby begins to crawl, put a gate at the bottom of the staiway, as well, to keep him from climbing the steps while you aren't watching.
Choking
Infants like to put everything in their mouths. Keep small objects away from your infant to prevent choking. Purchase toys that are age appropriate with no small parts or sharp edges. Keep your floors, crib and diaper changing area free of such objects. If you have an older child, make sure he picks up his toys after he's finished playing. Toys or pacifiers with cords can asphyxiate your child. Latex balloons can pop into several pieces, posing a choking hazard. Do not feed your infant solid pieces of food before he can chew properly.
Drowning
Children under the age of 4 are at the highest risk of drowning. Your infant can drown in a shallow bucket of water. Never leave your infant unsupervised when he is in or near water, even a large puddle.
Crib
Proper setup and use of a crib can prevent asphyxiation. Always put your infant on his back for sleep. Use a tight-fitting mattress that does not allow gaps between the mattress and crib walls. Do not use a crib with sharp edges, lead paint or slats wider than 2.37 inches. Avoid using bumper pads and putting pillows and large stuffed toys in the crib. Keep window treatment cords, mobiles and other hanging crib toys out of reach.
