| Birth to 3 Months |
| Crib |
- Use a crib that meets current safety standards, with bars no more than 2-3/8” apart so baby can’t get head stuck.
- Keep sides up to prevent falls. Drop sides should only lower partway, with double action latch for safety.
- Use a firm mattress that fits snugly so baby can’t slip between it and sides. Use bumper guards, but no pillow or harness.
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| Carriage |
- Check often to see that baby’s face is not covered with blankets, clothing or anything that could suffocate.
- Keep carriage free of pins, buttons and plastic bags that baby could grab and put in mouth or over face.
- Fasten hanging toys and mobiles firmly so baby can’t pull down strings and get them caught around neck.
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| Bassinet, Bath, or Infant Seat |
- Keep hand on baby when dressing and bathing. Never change baby with open safety pins in mouth. Pins could fall in baby’s mouth.
- Check bath water temperature with elbow or thermometer.
- To prevent burns or shock make sure no electrical units are nearby.
- Never put baby in seat on high surface, unless you’re with baby, because seat can fall or tip over
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| Feeding |
- Hold baby. Avoid propping bottle because baby can spit up or inhale liquids. Use 1-piece, sturdy pacifier on short cord.
- Check that nipple isn’t too large, soft or torn because baby might get too much liquid too fast. See that liquids aren’t too hot.
- Never feed baby in bed because you may fall asleep, roll over and injure baby. Never smoke near baby.
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| 4 - 6 Months |
| Playpen |
- Use wooden one with smooth slats close together or mesh one with small holes and metal locks on outside. Pad sides and bottom.
- Avoid tying toys to sides because baby can grab or get entangled on tapes or strings. Check for sharp edges and loose screws.
- Keep at least 2 feet away from objects like glass, and units like stoves, that baby can reach. Put where you can always see.
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| Kitchen |
- Use wooden one with smooth slats close together or mesh one with small holes and metal locks on outside. Pad sides and bottom.
- Avoid tying toys to sides because baby can grab or get entangled on tapes or strings. Check for sharp edges and loose screws.
- Keep at least 2 feet away from objects like glass, and units like stoves, that baby can reach. Put where you can always see.
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| Stairs, Heaters, & Outlets |
- Place safety gates with vertical slats or plastic mesh on top and bottom of stairs so baby can’t crawl up or down.
- Put safety guards, screens or insulation around heaters, radiators and fireplaces. Secure them so they can’t be pulled down.
- Install safety caps or plugs on all electrical outlets so baby can’t stick fingers or metal objects inside
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| Playthings |
- Use only nonflammable, washable, nonbreakable toys painted with lead-free paint. Read package to see if age-appropriate.
- Make sure there are no rough or sharp edges, points or protrusion.
- See that there are no small parts to remove and swallow, inhale or put in nose or ear. Never give child an uninflated balloon.
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| 7 - 11 Months |
| Furntiture |
- Remove long drape cords and tablecloths that baby can pull, and move objects on shelves and drawers out of reach.
- Keep pails of water off floor so baby doesn’t fall into them.
- Keep electrical appliances off floor so baby won’t handle.
- Have home inspected for lead-based paint, esp. if built before 1978. Wash floors and windowsills weekly.
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| High Chair or Car Seat |
- Select high chair with a wide base that won’t tip easily and fall over if baby rocks or moves.
- Lock folding mechanism carefully so chair doesn’t collapse when baby leans, climbs or rocks.
- Use straps or safety harness to secure baby in chair or car seat. Make sure car seat is for baby’s age and weight.
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| Kitchen |
- Avoid feeding nuts, raw vegetables, foods with seeds and bones and big pieces until 4 years old.
- Use only unbreakable glasses and bottles for baby.
- Watch that baby doesn’t climb to reach handles of pots on stoves. Turn handles toward back of stove.
- Never leave baby unattended.
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| 1 - 3 Years |
| Toys |
- Buy battery-operated, not plug-ins. Avoid toy chest for child under 3-lids, corners and hinges pose dangers.
- See that wooden toys are screwed together, not nailed or glued. Fix broken toys or discard when broken.
- Check that there are no small removable pieces or exposed pins, wires, nails or holes to catch hair, fingers or toes.
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| Fire Hazzards |
- Keep child away from matches, lighters and open fires.
- Buy flame-resistant nightwear, clothing and fabrics for furnishings.
- Keep flammable objects at least 3 feet away from heat-generating sources, e.g. heating or cooking units.
- Store oily rags, barbecue charcoal and flammable liquids in labeled metal container with tight lid, in cool, dry place.
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| Poisons |
- Check house for toxic products and plants and keep them out of reach. Keep drugs in child-resistant containers.
- Never store toxins near food or utensils for preparing food or medicines.
- Never transfer toxins to another container without labeling.
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| Doors & Windows |
- Put locks or safety latches on doors leading to stairs, swimming pools, driveways and storage areas. Use safety glass with decals for glass doors.
- Be sure all windows have a lockable safety catch and are always locked. (Screens won’t keep a child from falling out a window.)
- On all upper floors install child-safety bars that can be removed in case of fire.
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| 4 - 6 Years |
| Pets |
- Never let child tease pet, hold face close to its mouth, pull tail, take away food or toy or overexcite.
- Avoid letting child give food to pet unless child is used to animals. After playing with pet, make sure child washes hands thoroughly before eating.
- Teach child to avoid strange animals and always ask pet owner if it’s OK to pet any animal before doing so
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| Sharp Objects & Cutting Tools |
- Tell child not to run when carrying scissors and to carry them away from body and turn them around when handing them over.
- Never leave used razor blades, broken glass or can lids in indoor trashcans. Wrap these items and discard outside.
- Keep play areas free of sharp items and glass. Never let a child play with cutting tools or sharp objects.
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| Steps, Floors, & Bathtub |
- Keep steps free of clutter and well lit so child doesn’t trip.
- See that polished and waxed floors are not too slippery.
- Secure rugs so child won’t trip.
- Put handrails or treads on steps and mats or strips in bathtub to keep child from slipping
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| Poison Prevention |
| Kitchen |
- Are all medicines and cleaning products in their original containers with original labels?
- Is medication put away after use, and not left out on a counter top?
- Are household products that are in low cabinets guarded with safety latches or locks?
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| Bathroom |
- Are bathroom cleaners, cosmetics and toiletries out of reach or locked up?
- Is medication kept in child-proof containers?
- Do you periodically clean out your cabinet of old and unused medications? (Flush pills and liquids down the toilet – DO NOT toss them into a garbage pail where a child can get them.)
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| Laundry Room & Garage |
- Are soaps, bleaches, detergents, drain cleaners, and diaper pail deodorizers kept on a high shelf at all times?
- Do you thoroughly rinse out fabric softener and bleach bottles before tossing them into the trash?
- Are pesticides, anti-freezes, charcoal lighter fluid, paint, paint thinner, gasoline, oil and other poisonous products kept in their original containers and stored out of reach?
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| Living Room & Bedroom |
- Is liquor locked up? Are alcoholic drinks kept out of reach?
- Have you checked all your houseplants to be sure they are not the toxic variety?
- Are matches, lighters and tobacco stored away?
- Are ashtrays kept clean?
- Are walls in good shape – with no peeling paint in evidence?
- Do you make it a point to keep medications and contraceptives off the bedroom nightstand and stored in a high cabinet?
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