Safety for Babies
Accidents in the home
Safety Planning
Room by room:
The nursery
The cot
Moses Baskets
Sleeping
Bouncing cradles
The changing table.
The Bathroom
Bathing toddlers
Baby door bouncers
Baby swings
The Kitchen
The Drawing room
Around the house
Pets
Crawling babies
Toddlers
Safety for Babies
Having a baby in your home places you in the most responsible position for the safety of that child. Any normal home has hundreds of different combinations of dangerous situations and environments and someone as innocent as a baby. If you take a simple walk around your home and consider even the most simplest hazard to yourself then try and imagine how it would be to a baby with absolutely no experience or knowledge that a slippery, sharp, surface can cause severe damage to their fragile bodies.
Children are inherently curious as well, they will open cabinets; pull out on drawers catch their fingers in the doorway, tumble down stairs without any knowledge of the dangers involved.
Having a baby can be expensive budget is well worth looking for well-made products tested to British or European standards to help you make a safer choice.
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Accidents in the home
It is known fact that most accidents happen in home and that many of them can be prevented by the use of simple protective devices.
All the safety aspects should be covered such as ensuring that there are smoke alarms and that they all have regular checks to see the batteries are still working. Ensure emergency numbers as well as the doctor information is always ready to hand by each and every telephone in home.
Safety Planning
We suggest that you in your partner put aside a weekend to secure your house, room by room, planning and discussing each of the possible dangers in those rooms for your child. Invite other parents of young children to your home to ask their advice and experience of some of the elementary precautions you can take. Remember that as the child grows so be different safety elements will also need to be modified and then sometimes increased as the agility and height of a partner enables them to reach other areas. Look at your home with fresh eyes and think carefully how safe your house in this. The hot water heater should be safely 120o F so you don’t scald your baby. Have a fire extinguisher convenient in the kitchen.
Put smoke detectors, check for standard BS 5446, and carbon monoxide detectors on each floor of your home. (Remember to change the battery regularly, at least once a year. You could use the baby’s birthday is a reminder)
Use safety gates at the top and bottom of your stairs, as well as to any outside door to a terrace. Ensure all electrical plug sockets have protective covers.
Make a list. Make a diary date for everything to be ready. Make sure you make as many safety improvements as you possibly can.
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The nursery
This is perhaps the easiest room to begin as its main purpose will be for the baby, however each part of the nursery should be considered separately.
The cot
Ensure that all the screws, nuts and bolts and hardware including the mattress supports are tight and secure. Think what would happen if the cot collapsed.
Check the cot for small parts or pieces that a baby could choke on.
Check there are no plastic bags of other plastic materials in or around the cot.
Ensure and lamps or nursery lighting is not close to the curtains or any bedding, which may cause a fire.
Speak with your midwife or health visitor as to their advice as to how to position the baby in the cot - on their back, and to their suggestion to the correct amount of bedding considering your home environment. What is the nursery room temperature?
The cot or Moses basket may be the first large purchase you make for your new baby. Costs can be used from birth until approximately 18 months to two years. The cot should not be put next to a radiator or other heater, your baby may overheat. Look for the standard BS EN 716. This standard signifies the cot has been designed so your baby cannot easily fall out all get his or her head trapped between the bars. The cot should be at least 20 ” to make sure that your baby cannot climb out and the vertical bars| should have spaces of no more than 3 ” between them. Look for a cot mattress that complies to be BS 1877 and BS. 7177. Make sure the mattress is smooth, firm and fits the cot. There should not be a gap of more than 2 inches anywhere between the edge of the mattress and the bars of the cot. Cot bumpers should be used with caution they can cause your baby to overheat because they trap air in the cot. They can also be used to climb on once your baby crawling and so increase the danger of your falling out of the cot.
Many objects and the decorations for the nursery become hazardous once the baby can pull themselves upright and stand in the cot. Remove all hanging toys and decorations from the cot by the time the baby can get up on his hands and knees.
Moses Baskets
A Moses basket is ideal for a newborn baby and can be used from birth until the baby begins to sit, and crawl or go on all fours usually at around three or four months. Recommended standard BS EN 1466. Moses basket should not be used to carry a baby as accidents happen when a baby slips out of the Moses basket, particularly on stairs.
Sleeping
If your baby slips in your bed with you be careful you may suffocate them if you roll over on top of them. A baby may also roll out of your bed and be injured.
Babies cannpt regulate their body temperature. Make sure your baby’s room is a comfortable temperature approx.16 and 20 degrees centigrade. Do not allow anyone to smoke in the room. Always put the baby to sleep on his or her back.
Position the baby in the ‘feet-to-foot’ position so he or she cannot wriggle down under blankets.
For further details advise on preventing cot death contact the Foundations for the Study of Infant Death on 08707 870554 www.sids.org.uk/fsid
If your baby is able to sit up or climb make sure the cot is not next your window is your baby may fall out all become tangled in the curtains or blinds.
Babies can use cot toys to climb out of the cot toys should never have ties or strings that are longer than 8″. Mobiles that hang over the cot are ideal for keeping your baby entertained, they should be removed when your baby can sit up.
Bouncing cradles
Although not an essential item they are extremely useful for small babies and can be a first seat for your baby. When choosing bouncing cradles make sure it has a firm back support and harness. Use for short periods. Only use bouncing cradles of the floor even a very young baby will keep wriggle and these movements can cause the bouncer to move. Babies have been injured when their bouncers were on surfaces such as tables or kitchen worktops.
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The changing table.
Make when changing the baby they are unable to reach any potions or lotions, cotton wool in particular talcum powder.
If possible choose a changing mat with a safety harness or strap to secure baby whilst changing.
The changing mat is generally placed on a high convenient site for the mother convenience and is quite a distance from the floor. Consider what could happen if baby was to tumble off the changing table. Never leave baby unattended a changing station.
If using a plastic changing mat on a smooth surface changing table we suggest you use a non-slip mat between the change pad and the surface.
Always have everything ready and to hand before changing the baby.
Make sure any nappy bucket has the lid firmly pressed down so your child cannot open it.
Remember to wipe clean the plastic surface often with a gentle disinfectant.
The Bathroom
The most serious part-time accidents are drowning and scaling. The baby can drown in just 2 inches of water. never leave the baby unattended in Bath. Non slip mats can help you hold your baby in the bath. You should not rely on them alone, your baby still need you there to support them.
Always put cold water in the Bath first, then test water is not too hot Use your elbow, the water should not feel either too hot of too cold. Dip your entire hand (not just your elbow) in the water, and swirl it around. This gives you a more accurate temperature reading.Use both hands to lift your baby in and out of the bath.
Remember to supervise young children in the bathroom at all times.
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Bathing toddlers
- Don’t force your child to take a bath. A squirming, wet child is an injury waiting to happen. So if your child refuses to bathe, give her a quick sponge bath instead.
- Set your water heater at 120 degrees or lower. Only fill the bath with five to six inches of water.
- Cover the floor of the bath with non-slip strips or a rubber mat with suction cups. These can help prevent slips and falls. Also cover the bathroom floor with nonslip rugs.
- Make sure all tub and shower accessories are free from sharp edges. Also check that they are made of sturdy materials.
- Consider putting your toddler in a bath seat. This can prevent standing and slipping.
- Make sure your child knows he should never touch electrical outlets or appliances with wet hands. Keep radios, curling irons, and hair dryers out of the bathroom.
- Don’t let your child sit in soap or shampoo suds. They may cause bladder infections, vaginal irritation, or irritation of the urethra. Use an unscented, moisturizing soap and a no-tears shampoo. They’re easier on your child’s delicate skin and eyes.
- Shampoo your child’s hair after you wash his face and body. Most kids don’t like water splashing in their ears or on their face while having their hair washed. You can also use a shampoo visor — a device that fits over your child’s head and shields his face from water and suds as you shampoo his hair.BA108,
- Make sure you rinse your child’s hair in clean water.
- Remember that toddlers still need help getting out of the tub. After rinsing the shampoo out of your child’s hair, lift her out of the tub and stand her beside it. Wrap her in a towel, and cover her wet head with another towel to prevent her from getting chilled.
Baby door bouncers
Only use once your baby has good strong head control and a strong back. Set the bouncer at the right height for your baby and make sure it is securely attached to the doorframe following the manufacturers instructions exactly. Stay with your baby whilst playing in the bouncer and only use it for short periods of time.
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Baby swings
Choose a swing with a wide, sturdy base and do not used on hard surfaces such as tiles or concrete in case it tips over. Always use the harness provided. Do not use if the older children are running around nearby. Do not leave your baby unattended in a swing.
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The Kitchen
The best policy is to consider everything here as dangerous. There’s hot things, slippery surfaces, germs to name a few. Make sure your baby is in a safe zone such as a playpen.
When peparing meals ensure they are not too hot.
Feed your baby in a high chair.
This will leave you to concentrate on the feeding not holding the baby.
Use booster seats for toddlers so they can reach the table easily. Fold & Go Booster
Ensure cutlery is safe and has round edges. Stay Put Cutlery & Bowl
Check all fridges Fridge Lock, microwaves Microwave And Oven Lock, kitchen cupboards Sliding Cabinet Lock have safety locks fitted. Doors should have non slam fittings Door Slam Stopper and beware the crack of the door for little fingers Finger Guard.
- Put latches on any accessible drawers that contain matches or sharp or pointy utensils such as knives.
- Keep small appliances far back on the counter, and make sure the cords aren’t dangling over the edge.
- Put forks and knives in the dishwasher with the handles up and points down.
- Keep appliances unplugged when they’re not in use.
- Place chairs and step stools away from counters and the stove, so your child can’t climb up and then take a tumble.
- Make sure your child’s high chair is sturdy and has a seat belt with a crotch strap.
- Use the stove’s back burners instead of the front whenever possible, and make sure to turn all pot handles inward.
- Remove any refrigerator magnets that are small enough to fit in a child’s mouth and cause choking.
Avoid using tablecloths, since young children will typically tug on them and can pull hot food down on themselves.
The Drawing room
- Place pads on edges and corners of tables to prevent injuries.
- Use extensions sparingly. Run cords behind furniture, out of reach.
- Place houseplants out of your child’s reach — some may be poisonous.
- Secure tall freestanding furniture, such as high bookcases and cabinets, to the wall.
Secure televisions and other heavy items (such as lamps) to the table to prevent tipping.
Around the house
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Pets
Never leave and let alone with your baby. Cats and dogs can be jealous of the attention given to the new baby. Even if your pet appears to show affection to the baby in can be dangerous if you are not there to supervise. A car or dog curled up beside a baby can impose a suffocation risk. Make sure the pets food and water bowls and litter tray are not where your baby can reach them and play with them.
Crawling babies
As your baby grows and mobilises there can be a completely different set of hazards for your baby. As soon as your baby is able to crawl install safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs and possibly also across the kitchen door. If you have a fireplace you should get a fireguard.
It safety captures on all low-level cupboards and check you have a safety glass film in low doors and windows.
Toddlers
Now that they are standing upright they can reach higher surfaces make sure that there is nothing within their grasp that they can pull down to injure them.
Ensure that all corners and sharp edges of furniture and soft protective barriers to save bumping their heads.
The Baby Catalogue
In Confidence