Keeping Me Safe

I am on the move! Now is the time to baby-proof the world around me. Get down on your hands and knees and try to see the world the way I see it. Look for any possible hazards, such as sharp corners on furniture, drawers, cupboards and toilet seats that I can open, electric outlets, dangling electrical cords and anything else I might get into.
Most childhood injuries can be predicted and prevented.

Here are some simple guidelines to help keep me safe between 6 and 9 months old…and beyond.

Falls are the leading cause of hospital visits for childhood injuries

• Put baby gates at the top and bottom of stairs.
• Check furniture for sharp corners. If possible, move this furniture out of the way or use corner- and edge protectors.

Car Safety

• One of the most important things you can do to keep me safe is to put me in an approved car seat every time we travel by car.
• Move me into a forward facing car seat as soon as I weigh 9 kilograms (20 pounds) and can pull myself to a standing position.
• If we are using a used car seat, it is best to have it inspected at a Car Seat Clinic.
• I am safest when you put my car seat in the back seat. Never put me in the front seat if our car has a passenger-side air bag.
• Do not forget to use the tether on the back of my car seat.
• Talk to our community health nurse if you have questions about installing and using my car seat.

Sun Safety

• Keep me out of the direct sun. You can use sunscreen for babies older than 6 months, but light clothing, hats and shade is still the best protection.

Household Safety

• Lock up or put out of reach all poisons, medicines, household cleaners and alcoholic beverages.
• Know the first aid for poisoning and keep the phone number for the Poison Control Centre close to the phone.
• Keep knives, forks, scissors and other sharp utensils in a latched drawer.
• Make sure there is a light bulb in every socket and cover electric wall outlets.
• Keep the cords from venetian blinds well out of reach. I can strangle myself with a blind cord.
• Check that bath water is not too hot and use a non-skid mat in the bathtub.
• Keep cords for things like kettles and irons out of reach.
• Unplug electrical appliances that aren’t being used, especially in the bathroom.
• Lock up garbage containers or use containers that have child-resistant lids.

Water Safety

• Never leave me alone in or near a bathtub or swimming pool – even a baby swimming pool. I can drown in just a few inches of water.

Choking

• If you put me a playpen, check the top rails for tears or holes. I might bite off chunks of vinyl or plastic and choke.
• Anything I might put in my mouth should be too big for me to swallow.