Baby Safety Around the House

You're probably doing lots of baby proofing, and that's great. Here are some other important baby safety tips to help keep your little one safe at home.

Never Leave Your Baby Alone

Even newborns can sometimes turn over or flip around, so never leave your baby alone in the tub, on a raised surface like a changing table, or on a big bed. One of the most important newborn safety tips is to ensure your baby is never left unattended. And never leave a baby alone in a car, even for a minute. Emergencies can happen in an instant, and your little one needs an adult with them at all times.

Use a Baby Monitor

Even when your baby is safely in another room, you'll appreciate the extra peace of mind an audio or visual baby monitor can give. It's one of the many baby safety tips that can help you keep an eye on your little one. Of course, a baby monitor can never replace your care, but it can let you see or hear how your baby is doing in the next room.

Never Shake a Baby

It's vital to grasp the significance of infant safety . Never shake a baby, even in play, as it can lead to brain bleeding and nerve or muscle damage. Shaken Baby Syndrome can lead to blindness, severe brain damage, or even be deadly. Taking care of a baby is a tough job, and in the early days, it's often hard to figure out why your baby is crying. Feeling angry and frustrated sometimes is normal, but no matter how frustrated you get, never shake or roughly handle your baby. If you feel yourself losing control, seek help from your partner, a friend or relative, or a professional. Never shake a baby as part of a game, either. It's just too dangerous.

Make Sure Your Baby's Gear Is Safe

There are lots of new safety standards for baby and child equipment. Before you purchase anything or accept used baby gear, make sure everything meets standards and hasn't been recalled. Following these baby safety tips can help ensure your baby's gear is secure and compliant with safety standards.

• Before you buy any baby gear, look for safety information. Everything you buy should pass Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards. Call 1-800-638-2772 or check the website to be sure.

• Check the CPSC website for an updated list of product recalls.

• Check all of your baby's equipment regularly for loose parts, sharp or rough edges, and peeling paint.

Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors, and Check for Radon

Installing these detectors is essential to keep your baby safe at home.

• Call the Radon Hotline at 1–800–767–7236 for information on reducing the risk of radon exposure in your home.

Prevent Choking

Preventing choking is a crucial aspect of infant safety.

• Avoid foods that pose the greatest choking hazard. This includes hot dogs, whole grapes, peanuts, hard candy, and raw carrots.

• Always feed your baby sitting up, in your lap, or in an infant chair. Make sure your toddler sits at the table and doesn't walk or run with food in their mouth.

• Make sure your child's toys are safe. Soft toys should be washable, stuffed with fire-safe material, and have no loose pieces such as eyes, buttons, or latches. If toys break down into pieces, no piece should be smaller than 1. 75 inches (they should be too big to fit through a paper towel tube). Pieces smaller than that pose a choking hazard. Don't use any toys that have strings, fasteners, buttons, or chipping paint. Avoid latex balloons and small balls, and check all of your baby's toys regularly for rough edges, loose parts, or peeling paint.

• Only dress your baby in safe clothing. Check clothes inside and out for loose strings or ribbons or anything that could wrap around your baby's neck, small fingers, or toes. Avoid drawstrings on clothes that can get caught in doors, cribs, or toy equipment like bicycle wheels. Remember, children can always pull off buttons that you think are securely attached.

Additional Safety Guidelines

Following these additional safety guidelines can help keep your infant safe.

• Don't put pacifiers or necklaces around your young infant's neck. A cord or necklace can too easily get caught and strangle them.

• Never refer to medicine as candy.

• Put all visitors' handbags and luggage out of your child's reach.

• Make sure carrying devices like packs and strollers fit your child's age and stage of development.