Infants and toddlers do not understand cause and effect or consequences and are completely helpless to keep themselves safe. Most accidents and injuries are preventable by removing safety hazards and creating a safe environment. Start thinking about infant safety before you even bring your baby home. Take an infant CPR and First Aid class, where you'll learn how to keep baby safe, as well as what to do in the event of a life-threatening emergency.
Burns
Young children are naturally curious and poke their fingers into any hole or crevice. Cover electrical outlets with outlet covers to prevent electrical burns and place a fireplace screen in front of a hot fireplace. Keep your water heater set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit or less to prevent burns from hot water. Turn the handles of pots and pans toward the stove and don't leave food unattended.
Soak a burn in cold water immediately to reduce pain, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Do not apply ice, butter or ointments. Cover the area with a sterile gauze pad or clean cloth. Contact your pediatrician if the burn is on the face, hands or genitals, or if it is oozing or infected.
Choking
Babies and toddlers explore the world through their mouth, so choking is a common hazard. Keep small objects picked up from the floor and avoid giving your baby foods known to cause choking, such as hard or chewy candy, hot dogs, tree nuts, popcorn, raisins, olives, or hard vegetables. Cut grapes into quarters and wait until your baby is at least 12 months old before serving. Inspect toys for small pieces or loose parts, which might cause choking.
As part of your infant CPR class, you'll learn how to aid a choking child. Never leave a child alone during meals and watch your child for signs of choking, such as a reddened face, wheezing or difficulty breathing. Call 911 for signs of choking and begin treatment if the child is blue, cannot breathe at all or is unconscious. Do not treat a child who is crying, coughing or talking, but continue to monitor him.
Water Safety
Drowning is the leading accidental cause of death in children under age 4, according to the Home Safety Council. Children are naturally curious about water and can get into trouble in seemingly innocent situations. Never leave your infant or toddler alone in the bathtub, even for a few minutes. If you use a bath ring, continue to monitor your child. Empty buckets of water and keep the toilet closed. Stay within arms reach of your toddler or infant at all times at a swimming pool, even in the baby pool, and enclose home pools with a secure, locked fence. In the event of a drowning incident, call 911 immediately and begin CPR if the child is not breathing and has no heartbeat. Continue CPR until medical help arrives.
Falls
Infants and toddlers will experience many bumps and bruises as they learn to walk. Most of these are harmless and are a normal part of the learning experience. However, falls from an elevated place can cause serious injury. Install secure baby gates at stairs and always supervise your child when he begins to climb stairs. Never leave a child alone, even for a minute, on a changing table. Cover sharp furniture corners with furniture pads. Treat minor scrapes and bruises by washing the wound, applying ice and comforting your child. Consult your pediatrician, though, if your child falls from an elevated surface or hits her head.
References
- "Caring for Your Baby and Young Child"; American Academy of Pediatrics; 2009
- Home Safety Council: Drowning
