Top 10 safety tips before your baby is born
 
  1. Take an infant CPR class.
  2. First Aid:  Purchase or assemble an Infant First Aid Kit. Post emergency phone numbers next to your telephone as well as in the first aid kit: local poison control, local hospital, emergency medical services, police, etc.
  3. Make your home fire safe: Check fire and carbon monoxide alarms as well as fire extinguishers. If you haven’t developed a fire escape plan, now is the perfect time to develop one.
  4. Store medication and poisonous chemicals in locked, out of reach cabinets.
  5. Put locks or safety latches/magnets on cabinets where mouthwash, hair spray, deodorants, toothpaste, soaps, or potentially dangerous supplies/equipment might be stored.
  6. Prevent falls:  Poor lighting, loose/slippery rugs, loose or nonexistent stair railings account for many individuals falling while carrying their baby. To prevent falls from happening, use nightlights, carpet grips and fix or install secure stair railings.
  7. Secure unstable furniture:  Especially if you live in an earthquake – prone area, pay particular attention to things that could fall on your child or block access to your child.  Make sure tall and/or unstable furniture is securely braced to the wall.   

  8. Infant car safety seat:  Purchase a government approved/tested (0-20 lbs) before your baby is born.  Practice properly placing (according to manufacture) the infant care seat in the rear, middle seat facing backward (toward the window).  Leave the safety seat in this position until infant reaches 20 lbs or at least one year of age.  Infant should not be placed in the front passenger seat with passenger safety air bags.

  9. Cover electrical outlets as well as potentially dangerous edges or corners.

  10. Be very safety conscious when purchasing baby equipment: * The crib should have slats or bars that are no more than 2 3/8 inches apart.  The corner post should be 1/16 inches or shorter.  There should be no decorative cut outs that can entrap baby’s head.  Crib should be positioned away from windows, heater, lamps, pictures, wall decoration, shelves, cords, climbable furniture or falling objects.
    *  Crib mattress is firm and fits snugly.  Avoid bedding that is soft and fluffy such as pillows and comforters.
    *  The bassinet must have sturdy bottom and wide stable base.  Look for smooth surfaces with no sharp edges or protrusions.  Make sure the legs lock securely.  Avoid bedding that is soft and fluffy such as pillows and comforters.
    * The changing table should have a safety strap and the pad should be secured to the changing table.  Keep items such as baby wipes and other toiletries away from baby’s reach but close by and accessible to you.

The information provided above is only a brief list of basic  infant safety tips.  This internet site provides information of a general nature and is designed for educational purposes only.  If you have any concerns about our own health and safety or the health and safety of your child, you should always consult with your physician or other health care professional.  Please review the Terms of Use before using this site.  Your use of the site indicates your agreement to be bound by the Terms of Use.

 

What to put in your First Aid Kit?

 
  1. Infant/child thermometers (digital)
  2. List of emergency phone numbers
  3. Children’s and infants’ non-aspirin liquid pain reliever (example, acetaminophen, check with your pediatrician).
  4. Rubbing alcohol pads (to clean thermometer)
  5. Petroleum jelly (to lubricate thermometer)
  6. Hydrogen peroxide (to clean cuts & scrapes)
  7. Topical calamine lotion
  8. Hydrocortisone cream (1/2 percent)
  9. Antibacterial cream
  10. Scissors
  11. Tweezers
  12. Nasal aspirator bulb
  13. An assortment of adhesive band aides, tape, gauze roll & pads
  14. Small flashlight
  15. Oral syringe or spoon (calibrated)
  16. Cotton balls & cotton-tipped swabs
  17. Ice pack
  18. Heating pad
  19. Epicac (Please consult your pediatrician for specific directions/instructions.)

    20. The first aid kit list is only a basic list of supplies.  Please consult and review the list with your pediatrician who can appropriately tailor the list to meet the specific and special needs of your child.  Also, because the kit contains medication and other equipment that can be potentially harmful to your child, always keep the first aid kit locked and out of reach from children.