I am always changing and learning new things. I depend on you to help keep me safe as I start to explore my world. What is safe one day might not be safe the next day. Get down on your hands and knees and see the world the way I see it, so you can remove possible hazards before I find them.

Most childhood injuries can be predicted and prevented.

Here are some simple guidelines to help keep me safe between birth and 2 months old…and beyond.

Falls are the leading cause of hospital visits for childhood injuries

• Never leave me alone in a high place, such as a changing table, bed or sofa, even if I am strapped in. You would be surprised how fast I can move!
• Strap me securely into my stroller or carriage.
• If you use an infant carrier, always strap me securely into the seat. Do not set the carrier down on a counter or other high places when I am in it. I am safest on the floor.

Car Safety

• Put me in an approved car seat every time we travel by car. Do not use an infant carrier or bed in place of a car seat.
• My car seat should be rear-facing until I weigh at least 20 pounds and can sit on my own.
• Make sure that my car seat is properly installed. If you need help installing my car seat, talk to our community health nurse.

Crib Safety

• My crib should have a bolted mattress support, not S-shaped hooks. The space between bars should be no more than 6 centimeters (2-3/8 inches).
• The mattress should fit snugly in my crib, so I can not get trapped between the mattress and the crib bars.
• Use a crib that was made after 1986. That way you will know it meets safety standards.
• Do not use bumper pads, pillows, comforters, or soft toys in my crib. They may cause me to accidentally suffocate. 

Sun Safety

• Keep me out of direct sunlight. Put a hat on my head and cover most of my body with clothing when I am outside on a sunny day.
• Do not put sunscreen on me until I am 6 months old.

Burns and Scalds

• Be very careful when you eat, drink or carry anything hot when I am close to you.
• If you warm up my formula in a microwave oven, always shake the bottle and check the temperature before you feed it to me. Better yet, set the bottle in a bowl or cup of hot water to warm my milk.
• Check that bath water is about body temperature (37°C or 98.6°F) by touching the water with your wrist or elbow. The water should not feel hot or cold.

Water Safety

• Always stay with me when I am in the bathtub.
• Always keep one hand on me, even if you are using a bath support or baby tub that keeps my head out of the water.

Choking

• Anything that goes into my mouth, like a soother, should be too big for me to swallow.
• If I use a soother, make sure it has been safety-tested and check it often to make sure it cannot come apart.
• Do not hang my soother on a string around my neck. The string could catch on something and strangle me.

Animals and Children

• Animals, even the family pet, can hurt me. Stay with me when animals are around.
• If our cat or dog is in the house when I am sleeping, close my bedroom door.
• My brothers and sisters or other children can hurt me if they do not know how to touch or play with me in a safe way. Stay with me when other children are around.

Fire Safety

• Make sure our house has smoke detectors that work.
• Plan and practice how our family will get out of the house if there is a fire.