We are here to be your trusted partner for all things related to your baby’s health, safety and growth.
September is Baby Safety Month. Here are 5 tips to help you keep your baby safe this month and all year long!
Tip 1: Make sure that your infant’s car seat is installed correctly. When installing a car seat, review both the car seat manufacturer’s instructions as well as your car’s owner’s manual. Your infant should be in a rear-facing car seat placed in the back seat of the vehicle. The car seat must be properly strapped in. Infants and toddlers should remain in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible. Once your infant exceeds the maximum height or weight limit listed on the car seat label, switch to a larger rear-facing convertible car seat. Age two (2) years is the very earliest you should switch to forward-facing, but the safest option is for your child to remain rear-facing until they exceed the height or weight limits listed on the convertible car seat. A rear-facing seat protects your child’s head, neck and spine in case of a front-end collision, which is the most common type of car accident.
Tip 2: Always place your baby to sleep on their back in their own crib or bassinet. A firm mattress and fitted sheet are all that is needed in the crib. There should be no blankets or toys in the bed with your baby. Also make sure to place your baby’s crib away from any cords or strings such as blinds strings or electrical cords.
Tip 3: Have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on each level of your home, near sleeping areas. Test alarms monthly to ensure they are working properly.
Tip 4: To prevent burns, set your hot water heater to 120 degrees or lower. Also make sure to keep hot liquids such as coffee or hot water out of reach to prevent splash burns.
Tip 5: Do not leave your baby alone on changing tables, sofas, beds or other raised surfaces. Even a baby who has not rolled over yet can kick, wiggle or push themselves off of furniture when you are not looking. Place babies in a crib or playpen if you need to step away for a moment.
Of course, there are many more steps you can and should take to ensure your baby’s safety, but these five will help protect against several of the most common causes of accidental injury and death. Any time you have questions or concerns, let your pediatrician know. We are here to be your trusted partner for all things related to your baby’s health, safety and growth.
About Dr. Hunt
Dr. Hunt practices at Hometown Pediatrics, which is part of St. Mary’s Medical Group and is located at 1020 Jamestown Blvd., Bldg. 200, Watkinsville, Ga., 30677. She is board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. She earned her medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia and completed her Pediatrics Residency at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center.