Infant - Safety

Automotive

All babies should be placed in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat of the car until they are 1 year old and weight at least 20 pounds. Both of these criteria should be met before transitioning to a forward-facing seat. Some local fire and police stations can inspect your car seat to be sure it's installed properly.

Sleep Position/Crib Safety

Babies should be placed on their backs to sleep. This is our latest public health recommendation to prevent SIDS and other breathing problems. The crib should also be free of any soft toys or pillows which may be a suffocation hazard. Once your baby is able to pull up and stand, it is best to lower the crib mattress support to its lowest setting.

Falls

Children should never be left unattended on a changing table, bed, chair, or other place where one little roll to the side can result in a fall and potentially serious head injury. Sometimes the safest place for a baby is on the floor! We also do not recommend the use of walkers with wheels because of the risk of head injury from a fall.

Burns

One should avoid holding hot containers of fluid near a baby such as cups of coffee or soup. Other burn hazards include curling and clothes irons as well as fireplaces and electrical outlets. Please protect these areas.

Ingestions

It is best to keep medicines and any dangerous household supplies up high in a place out of reach of your baby since many babies have the uncanny ability to open drawers and cabinets that are "baby proofed." If you suspect your child may have swallowed a potentially poisonous substance, please call the national Poison Control line at 1-800-222-1222. They will give your advice on how to proceed with a plan of care. Any small object that can potentially become a choking hazard or be accidentally swallowed should be kept away from your infant. Take nothing for granted.

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