How Can I Keep My Baby Safe At Home?

Are you a new mother? Learn from the experts how to keep your special someone safe while taking a bath, going to sleep, and other common activities.

The years spent in the toddler stage are important for the development of the whole child. What they have learned sticks with them and they teach it to others. They have a deeper comprehension, can decide for themselves, and interact with others in novel ways. Children's maturation in all spheres of development — physical, mental, and emotional — sets the stage for them to acquire and hone abilities that will serve them well in the academic environment.

At this age, kids start using their big and little muscles in novel ways. Physical activities such as running, kicking, jumping, and throwing are routinely performed. Many toddlers start to tentatively ascend the stairwell at age 2, and by age 4 or 5, most can do so without falling. By the time they are two and a half, most kids who get plenty of practise climbing playground equipment have mastered the stairs. However, the risks increase in proportion to their increased mobility. Particularly when they're climbing, they need to be closely supervised. Toddlers, as children of all ages, tend to fall down a lot when they play outside, therefore it's important that playground surfaces are designed to absorb impact. Children of this age range benefit greatly from the installation of safety gates.

By the time they are two and a half, most toddlers have graduated from the stage where they explore their environment by mouthing everything within reach (which typically occurs around the age of one). It's a teaching moment for both of them and their environment. In other words, they keep learning new things, such as the fact that a concealed object is not lost forever, as well as how to recall past events, categorise things according to their attributes, and articulate their thoughts and feelings about what they observe. They learn about the world through means of play and the use of their imaginations. While this is true, it's important to remember that taking risks is essential to learning. A toddler's lack of awareness of danger may cause them to take risks that endanger their health. All potential dangers should be taken out of a toddler's immediate vicinity, and they should be taught how to properly engage in active play and exploration.

Toddlers engage in social interaction and play, but they are also learning to share with other children. It's possible that kids don't have enough words to adequately convey their emotions or make their wants and needs known. Children learn social skills, such as sharing and taking turns when playing, and modelling appropriate behaviours for interacting with others, from the adults in their lives. A child's or adult's risk of injury from challenging behaviours can be mitigated by establishing and maintaining consistent routines and setting clear expectations.

It is your responsibility to ensure the well-being of your infant at all times. They don't have the maturity level to comprehend the risk. Also, babies develop a natural curiosity as they mature. In light of these considerations, you may find it necessary to make adjustments around the house to ensure his or her safety.

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Path To Better Health

Check each room to see if there are any potential hazards for your youngster. We've compiled a short list of potential follow-up questions or concerns.

In The Bedroom

Take care to keep your infant free from strangulation hazards, such as loose cords. You should secure any electrical cables, drapery cords, or curtain cords that are longer than 6 inches and out of your child's reach. Also, make sure your infant cannot reach the mobile or any toys hanging from the crib's railing. Pacifiers and other toys with strings should not be left in a baby's cot.

The bedroom's centrepiece is obviously the crib. Select a crib with a maximum space between its bars of 2 3/8 inches. Your infant risks suffocation if they are able to slide through a too-large gap between the bars. Measure the distance between the bars to make sure it's adequate. If the bars are too far apart, you can weave a cloth in between them.

The crib should be set up in a room that is free of any cables.

Any protruding parts, such corner posts, should be avoided in the design of the crib. Cribs' corner posts are a potential snare for a baby's clothing or for anything draped around his or her neck. You can either unscrew the corner posts or cut them off with a saw.

The crib mattress must be a precise fit against the insides of the railings. If a baby's head or body becomes trapped between the mattress and the crib's walls, it can suffocate. There need to be no more than a couple of fingers' worth of space between the bed's mattress and the crib's walls. If the mattress is too big for the crib, you can use rolled-up towels to create space.

Crib toys, such as those strung across the top of the crib or playpen, should be removed once your baby can push up on their own. A baby can easily hurt themselves by stepping on one of these or by using them to get out of the crib.

Toys

• Choose cautiously when purchasing toys. Look to select toys that are properly manufactured and appropriate for your child’s age.
• Watch out with toys that contain sharp edges, small pieces, or sharp points.
• Young children prod, pull, and twist toys. When choosing a toy, be sure that all of the pieces are securely fastened.
• On toys that are likely to wind up in a child's mouth, look for information on safety on the item or the label, such as "Not advised for children under the age of three" or "non-toxic." Keep an eye out for "washable materials" and "hygienic materials" while purchasing stuffed toys and dolls.
• Avoid marbles, games, balls with balls, and other toys that contain pieces less than 1 3/4 in diameter or smaller than 2 inches long. Children should be supervised when using these goods because they might cause choking if eaten.a
• Babies and toddlers should not play with toys intended for older children.

In The Bathroom

Due to the fact that even a small amount of water can be fatal to a child, you should never leave your child unattended in the tub. Never, ever, ever leave your youngster in the bathroom or tub, even with an older sibling. Carry your kid with you when you answer the door or the phone.

You should never put a youngster into a tub without first checking the water's safety. Young children have delicate skin that can easily be damaged by hot water. Reduce the temperature of your water heater to no more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Run a meat or candy thermometer under the hot water from the tap for 3 minutes to determine its exact temperature.

To prevent your youngster from falling while in the tub, you can put down non-skid rubber mats or use non-skid decals. Always have your kid sit while they're in the tub. Give him or her water-resistant playthings to encourage this behaviour.

Locking the toilet lid can avoid accidental drowning.

Hair dryers and other electrical appliances should not be used near water. If you're not going to be using them, unplug them. If one of these falls into a running sink or bath while plugged in, it could result in a dangerous electric shock.

Tell your kid they shouldn't rush into using the restroom. Your little one or the floor could be drenched. Keep your youngster from running on damp surfaces because they increase the risk of them falling.

In The Kitchen

• Orient the pot handles so that they face the rear of the burner.
• Cooking should be done on the stove's rear burners.
• Don't put anything hot on a counter or table's edge.
• Knives and other pointed objects should be stored safely, out of reach, and preferably in cabinets that cannot be opened by children.
• Keep extension cords coiled and out of the way.
• To prevent your youngster from opening and closing the drawers in the cabinets, instal locks on them. If your child has trouble keeping their fingers from getting caught in the drawer or cabinet, this is a good solution.

Throughout The House

Lock up all potentially hazardous items, such as vitamins, medications, cleaning products, and pesticides. Most kids would eat medicine if you gave it to them.

Your kid shouldn't immediately dial Poison Control after ingesting something. Don't delete that number from your phone!

Keep houseplants high up so children can't access them. Unfortunately, some common houseplants can cause serious illness or even death. For information on whether or not a plant in your home is toxic, contact your regional poison control centre.

Install safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs if you have a child. Gates with wide gaps between the slats should be avoided since children could get stuck in them.

Cover the doorknobs leading to the outside, the basement, the attic, and the garage. Your kid will be less likely to wander out into dangerous territory if you implement these safety measures.

For safety's sake, keep the kids away from the glass. Bugs are what screens are designed to keep out; kids are what you want to keep in. Protect youngsters from falling out of windows by installing guards. To prevent youngsters from climbing out windows, keep chairs as well as other furniture away from them. Windows should be opened from the top if at all possible.

Fasten the furniture to the wall. If your youngster climbs on it, it won't topple over thanks to this. You should always anchor heavy pieces of furniture like bookcases, dressers, and televisions that aren't wall-mounted. You may get safety-strap kits at any hardware shop. Install the safety straps on any new furniture as soon as possible.

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Other Useful Tips:

• Plastic plugs should be used to conceal unused electrical outlets.
• Do not bring weapons inside the house. If there are firearms in the home, they should be unloaded, stored safely, and the keys should be kept out of the reach of children. Put the firearm away from the ammunition.
• Always keep one hand on your infant, even when placing him or her on a higher surface like a changing table.
• Things to consider
• Avoid storing toys on the top of a tall dresser or bookcase. Your kid could get hurt if he or she tries to access it by climbing up on the couch or a chair.
• You should not cover your table with a cloth. The toddler could trip and fall if they grab the fabric. Then, there's the risk that your child will be injured by falling tableware.
• Place alcoholic beverages and tobacco products out of reach.
• Young children should be kept away from plastic bags and popped balloons.
• Place lighters and matches in a locked cabinet out of reach.

Car Injuries

There is a serious danger to your child's life and health from car accidents. Injury and death from automobile accidents are mostly avoidable if people use safety seats. A car safety seat will not only keep your child safe, but will also help them behave better so you can concentrate on the road. Use a car safety seat for your newborn's first trip home from the hospital. Remember to keep your baby safe by placing him or her in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat.

Check that the car seat for your infant is installed properly. Please familiarise yourself with the car seat's instructions as well as the relevant portions of your vehicle's owner's manual before installing or using a car safety seat. Always buckle your child into the automobile safety seat.

When driving with a passenger airbag, NEVER put a baby in the front seat.

Falls

In the first moments after birth, infants move their feet about and push against various surfaces. A tumble can happen with these preliminary steps. When your baby starts to roll over, it's important to keep him or her safe from potential falls. Never, ever, ever, leave your kid unattended on a bed, sofa, chair, or changing table. When you can't hold your baby, put him in a safe area like a crib or playpen.

By the time your baby is six months old, you might see him or her making their first attempts at crawling. Babyproof the house by installing gates at the top and bottom of the stairs and keeping all the doors to rooms where the child could get hurt locked. Any floors above ground level should have moveable window guards fitted.

A baby walker should not be used at any time. There is a risk that your child will suffer a major head injury if he falls down the stairs while using the walker, tips it over, or falls out of it. Babies who use walkers can reach higher cabinets and stove handles, putting them at risk for burns and other injuries.

Call your doctor if your kid takes a tumble and seems off afterwards.

Burns

Babies will begin to wave their hands and grab at items between the ages of 3 and 5 months. In no circumstances should you ever transport your infant while holding a cup of coffee or other hot food or drink. There is a risk that your infant might get burned. You can't juggle both of those demands at once. If you have a youngster, make sure the hot water from the tap never gets beyond 120 degrees to prevent scalding. Changing the temperature of your water heater is usually an option.

Apply cold water to the affected region of your baby's skin as soon as possible if he or she is burned. In order to reduce swelling and pain, keep the burned area submerged in cold water for at least a few minutes. Apply a dry bandage or clean cloth loosely to the burn, and then contact a doctor.

To prevent harm to your child in the event of a fire, instal smoke alarms on each level of your home, especially near the heating system and bedrooms. Monthly alarm checks are recommended. Long-life battery smoke alarms are preferable, although regular smoke alarms should have their batteries replaced at least once a year.

Suffocation And Choking

Babies learn about their surroundings by putting things in their mouths. In NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you ever leave a baby unattended with access to tiny objects. Raw carrots, hot dogs, peanuts, grapes, apples, and popcorn kernels are just some of the foods that should never be given to a newborn in whole form. Make sure your baby isn't at risk of choking by cutting all foods into little pieces. If your infant begins to choke, you need to be ready. Seek advice from your doctor on the next steps you should take. Find out what to do to save a youngster who is choking.

Babies should always sleep on their backs to avoid smothering and lessen the likelihood of developing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). There shouldn't be any pillows, plush toys, bumpers, or loose material in your baby's crib or bassinet. A baby should never be placed on a waterbed, bean bag, or any other soft surface that could potentially smother the baby and cut off his or her breathing.

Your child could suffocate if they put one of these plastic wrappers or bags over their lips and nose. It's best if they stay far away from the infant. ​

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Safely Use Medication

Overdosing on painkillers like acetaminophen is common, so it's important to keep track of how often the medication is given. With Kinsa, you can keep track of when you administer your medications, preventing any unnecessary overdoses. Medications, even OTC ones, should only be given to a baby if prescribed by a doctor, and many aren't suitable for usage in this age group.

Protecting your infant is a top priority, but once you get into a routine, it will be second nature. We wish for you and your child a lifetime of joy and good health.