Watching your child carefully and knowing how to keep your child safe can prevent most childhood injuries.

To childproof your home, look at every room from the point of view of your child. Get down on your hands and knees and check for dangerous situations and objects you see at baby eye level. Remember, your baby learns by exploring, and anything he/she finds may go into his mouth. Make sure that relatives, babysitters and others who care for your baby also follow these safety tips.
Childproof your house:

• Cover electrical outlets with safety plugs.
• Put safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs.
• Put safety guards on windows and balconies.
• Secure throw rugs to the floor and tall furniture to the wall.
• Make sure heaters and vents can’t burn your child, and install smoke alarms.
• Keep small objects and plastic bags out of reach.
• Keep houseplants out of reach since, many are poisonous.
• Drowning is a major cause of death in young children. A child can drown in just a few inches of water. Never leave children alone near a pool, tub of water or in a bathroom. Keep pools fenced and gates locked.
• If your child puts medicine or something else that might be poisonous in his/her mouth, try to get it out. Call 911 right away. Save the container, so you can explain what was swallowed. Never make your child vomit unless a poison expert tells you to do so.
• Never leave your baby or toddler alone with a pet. If you have a dog, make sure it is trained,so you can control it around your child. Teach your child when to leave a pet alone and how to treat the pet gently. Teach your child to ask the owner before petting a stranger’s pet.
• The safest home is one without a gun. If you have a gun, lock the unloaded gun in one place and the ammunition in another place. Make sure to use a safety lock on the gun. Ask if guns are present in places where your child spends time.

Safety in your neighborhood:

• Don’t let small children play outside alone or in an unfenced yard.
• Make sure you know where your child is at all times.
• Know your child’s friends and the places they visit.
• Don’t put your child’s name on the outside of his clothes or backpack.
• Teach your child her/his full name, address and phone number in case she/he gets lost. Tell your child to say “No!” if someone tries to touch him/her or treats him/her in a way that scares or upsets him/her. Tell him/her to get away quickly and to tell you about it right away.

Home safety:

• Keep emergency numbers by the telephone.
• Have first aid supplies handy.
• Know CPR and how to handle choking.
• Put household products, beauty supplies and medicines out of your child’s reach.
• Check to make sure your house does not have lead paint.

Crib safety:

• Do not cover your baby’s face or head when he is asleep.
• Do not put fluffy blankets, pillows, stuffed toys and comforters in the crib.
• Use a non-allergenic mattress. It should fit snugly in the frame.
• Watch out for cords from bedding, toys or blinds. These can strangle a baby.
• Make sure the crib meets today’s safety standards. If a can of soda passes between the bars, they are too far apart.

Toy Safety:

• Use toys that are right for your child’s age.
• Do not use toys with small pieces. Your child can choke on them.
• Check for sturdy, well-sewn seams on stuffed animals and dolls.
• Be sure eyes, noses, buttons and other small parts cannot be bitten or pulled off and swallowed.
• Toys should not have sharp pieces or jagged edges.
• Young children should not play with balloons.
• Throw away all packaging right away, and be sure toys don’t have strings or cords.

Car Safety:

• Use a car seat. Babies should ride in a backward facing car seat. It should be in the back seat.
• Use a car or booster seat for your child from age 4 until at least age 6.
• The back seat is the safest place for your child to ride.
• Set a good example for your child by always wearing your seat belt.

Where to shop for safety devices:

• Look in local grocery, baby, drug, department and hardware stores. You can also shop online or through catalogs.

Visit www.safekids.org for more information.

Tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics Age-Related Safety Sheets:

www.aap.org/family/birthto6.htm
www.aap.org/family/6to12mo.htm

Parenthood.com: Are Your Kids Scared-Safe?
http://www.parenthood.com/articles.html?article_id=11090