Baby Safety Tips

Keeping your baby safe is one of the biggest concerns for all parents.

There are many things we take for granted, but are hazards to your baby.

Your home is not ready for the baby until you do some things to make it safe, especially if they are beginning to crawl or walk.

Don't find out what is dangerous the hard way.

Here are some tips to remember.

This list is incomplete as each home is different, but hopefully, these tips will get you started in the right direction.

• Your Purse: Babies love to play with the things found in a purse, whether yours or a guests.

  Some of these things can be very dangerous to your baby, like medications, nail files, pens, cosmetics and other small objects.

• Cleaning your home: Of course, you should make sure all cleaning products are out of reach of the baby when they are stored, but also keep this in mind as you are using them.

  It's very easy to get busy cleaning and turn your back, just long enough for them to get into something dangerous.

  Use the sink instead of a mop bucket.

  Your baby can drown in a small amount of water, not to mention what is in the water may be harmful to them.

• Furniture: Make sure none of your furniture lamps, or decorations are easily tipped over.

  Keep their high chair away from walls and other surfaces they can use for leverage to push it, possibly tipping it over.

  No furniture that has chipping or peeling paint should be allowed in the house with your baby.

Check out the rooms of your house often and remember to check them from your baby's point of view.

Get down on the floor to look for possible hazards.

A lot of Moms, especially those who breastfeed, like to have their baby sleep in the bed with them.

There are some safety tips to keep in mind when doing this as well.

1. Don't put them into an adult bed alone to sleep.

   They can crawl to an edge and fall off.

   They can become trapped between the headboard and the bed or the wall.

   They can also suffocate in soft bedding.

2. Babies should be put to sleep on their back, not on their stomach.

   Sudden Infant Death Syndrome may have something to do with placing babies on their stomachs to sleep, according to the ''Back To Sleep Campaign''.

3. Don't use pillows, comforters, and thick quilts or blankets for babies under 1 year old.

   They stand a chance of suffocating themselves.

   Securely fitting crib sheets are the safe way to go.

4. Make sure your baby cannot fall out of bed.

   Bed railing is a useful item to have or having your bed with one side to the wall.

   The baby should sleep between the mother and the bed rail, not between two parents.

5. Make sure your bed has a firm surface.

   Never let your baby sleep on a featherbed, beanbag, waterbed, deep mattress, or other too-soft surface.

6. If you are under the influence of alcohol or medication that makes you groggy, do not put your baby to sleep in your bed.

   If you are groggy, you pose a danger to your baby.

7. Too many pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals can increase your baby's risk of strangulation or suffocation.

8. Never fall asleep on a couch, sofa, or overstuffed chair with your baby.

   They can get wedged between the cushions and suffocate.

9. Don't stuff too many bodies into a bed with a small baby.

   If you share sleep with more than one child, adequate space is necessary for both comfort and safety.