baby care

Safety For Babies

Safety For Babies

• Remember your home is dangerous. Over half the accidents which happen to children under five are in or around the home, and mostly between 4pm and 7pm - the busiest time in most houses.
• All children are curious and learn by 'doing'. As they are so active they will get bumped and bruised.
• Children need to be watched by adults so they don't hurt themselves and homes have to be made safe.
• You can make your house safer by installing smoke alarms and safety switches (electric circuit breakers).
• There are safety issues which tend to follow the stages of children's development.
• Babies:
  • Newborns don't move around much but around three or four months they begin to roll over.
  • Small objects can easily be swallowed or make the baby choke.
  • Babies are at most risk of falls up to the age of nine months.
  • NEVER leave a baby alone on a change table, couch or bed.
  • When changing a nappy or bathing the baby have everything you need beside you before you start.
  • NEVER leave a baby alone in the bath.
  • Always remember the dangers of the hot water tap and temperature.
• Mobile baby/toddler (nine months to two years):
  • Babies are into everything once they can crawl and walk.
  • They investigate, explore, poke, push and discover. They want to put things in their mouths.
  • Check sharp corners on furniture.
  • Remember that stairs are easy to climb but hard to come down.
  • This is the time to 'toddler proof' your home.
  • Put child proof locks on cupboards and safety plugs in power points.
  • Make sure medicines and poisons are in cupboards with child proof locks. Most cleaning products are dangerous.
  • Use placemats so that tablecloths can't be pulled down.
  • When babies start to climb it isn't enough to put precious or dangerous things on higher shelves, this will only encourage them to climb higher. Put them safely out of sight.
  • At the 'I can do it myself' stage children are very curious and clever. They can work out how to get things and even how some child resistant devices work.
  • This is an age when adults need to explain to their children 'what happens if'.
  • Parents must always be on the look out for dangers indoors and out. Dangers change as children grow. Keep checking things like locks, kitchen, bathrooms. Don't ever assume your child is safe.
  • Be aware of all the things which can cause burns like hot stoves, hot cups of coffee, boiling kettles/saucepans.
  • Make sure saucepan handles are turned in over the stove or work bench. Children love reaching for things.

Parenting tips & parenting articles copyright & courtesy
Department for Community Devlp, Australia.

Safety For Babies :: Safety Indoors For Babies :: Poisons And Medicines For Babies
Safety Outdoors For Babies :: Car Safety For Babies :: Sudden Infant Death Syndromes
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