Home Safety

Parenting Resources and Community Outreach

Your child’s home should be the safest place in the world for him. Closely following some simple rules will help to ensure his safety at all times.

• Never leave the baby in the home alone or unattended at any time. Never leave him in a room alone unless he is asleep and you can hear him if he awakens. And never leave him alone on a bed, couch or chair, or in or near water.
• Set your water heater below 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Be sure baby furniture meets government standards for safety.
• Make sure the labels on your baby’s clothing say it is flame-retardant.
• Cribs should meet all crib safety regulations from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Cribs should be clean and free of defects, splinters or cracks; mattresses should be firm and there should be less than two finger widths between the mattress and crib side; sheets and blankets should be tucked in securely when baby is in the bed; crib slats should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. Headboard and footboard should have no protruding, decorative posts or knobs.
• Make sure hanging mobiles are out of reach of the infant, and remove them when your baby begins to sit up. Keep the crib away from chairs, curtains or other furniture the baby may use to climb out.
• Don’t attach pacifiers, toys or other objects to the crib or baby’s clothing with a string, cord or ribbon. Never put a string or necklace on baby’s neck.
• Be careful not to jiggle or shake the baby too vigorously. Always support her head and neck when moving her body.
• Make sure toys are non-flammable and have no loose or removable parts or sharp edges. All toys should be too large to fit in the baby’s mouth. (If a toy or part can pass through an empty toilet paper roll, it’s too small for your baby.) Remove all manufacturer’s tags. Make sure stitching on stuffed toys is secure.
• Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
• Never put your baby to bed with a bottle.
• Do not expose your infant to tobacco smoke. Do not allow anyone to smoke in your home or car.
• Do not use strong cleaning agents (such as mildew removers), solvents or toxic materials in a home with a new baby.
• Do not eat, drink or carry any hot substance while holding or being close to your baby.
• Do not use the microwave to warm baby bottles.

Carrying Baby

A newborn has not developed head control or strong enough neck muscles to hold up her head. Carry her in a way that cradles her head and holds it firmly so it doesn’t flop from side to side or snap from front to back. When carrying her in a lying down position, support her head and neck at all times with your hand or arm.

Pacifiers

You may give your baby a pacifier to satisfy her normal instinct for sucking. Research indicates that pacifier use at nap and bedtime may reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Most infants will give up the pacifier during the early months of life. Sucking does not necessarily mean hunger; your baby uses this reflex for security and satisfaction.

Any pacifier you give your child should be made from a single piece of rubber and have no parts that could loosen or get stuck in the baby’s throat. Never tie the pacifier or any other object on a cord around a baby’s neck. A cord could become entangled or even strangle your baby.