Baby
Protecting Your Family

Now that you’re a parent, you’re probably extra careful. You drive more cautiously. You’re more wary of strangers. Call it instinct, conditioning, whatever you like – you want to protect your children from any dangers that may exist “out there.”

But what about dangers that lurk closer to home? Items as seemingly innocent as the bathroom faucet or the loose button on your shirt suddenly take on a greater significance when you have an infant to care for. Even products meant to cradle or entertain your child can sometimes be dangerous.

Luckily, you don’t just have to rely on intuition. These proven tips will help you keep your baby safe and sound.

Eliminate potential hazards:

• Buy a crib that meets all current national safety standards. Corner posts should be 1/16 inch or shorter. Distance between crib slats should be 2 3/8 inches or less to avoid entrapment. The mattress should fit securely in the crib (no more than two fingers of space between crib and mattress) and be free of all plastic wrappings.

• Be especially wary of used cribs, especially those constructed before the safety standards were developed (1991). Read more crib safety tips and resources.

• Remove all soft bedding, toys and pillows from the crib when your baby is sleeping, to reduce the risk of suffocation. Place your baby on his back to sleep.

• Buy only age-appropriate toys for your baby. Small toys and toy parts can choke infants – when in doubt, use a small parts tester.

• Make sure the nursery floor is free from small objects such as buttons, beads, marbles, coins and tacks. Keep these and other small items out of your baby’s reach. Click here for a complete list of choking hazards! 

• Make sure household cleaners, medicines and vitamins are locked up and away from your baby. Keep poisonous plants out of sight and reach.

• Never leave infants unattended near sinks, tubs, buckets and containers, and empty them immediately after use. Store buckets and containers upside down.

• Avoid baby walkers on wheels – use stationary activity centers or other walker alternatives instead.

Prepare your home:

• Set the temperature on your water heater’s thermostat at 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.

• Install and maintain smoke alarms (outside bedrooms and on every floor) and carbon monoxide detectors (in every sleeping area) in your home.

• If your house or apartment was built before 1978, have a professional test your home for lead-based paint. If there is lead paint in your home, the paint should be completely removed or covered with an approved sealant.

• Install safety guards on windows. Never place a crib or other furniture near a window. Consider using cordless window coverings to avoid strangulation hazards posed by drapery and blind cords.

Practice safety:

• Use a child safety seat on every ride. Infants should ride in rear-facing child safety seats – in the back seat of the vehicle – until they are at least 1 year old and at least 20 pounds. Never place a rear-facing infant in the front seat of a car equipped with an active airbag. Have an expert check your baby's seat for proper installation at a Safe Kids Buckle Up Car Seat Check Up event or another event in your community.

• Never leave your baby unattended in or near water, even for a second. Don’t rely on bathtub rings or other devices to keep your baby afloat.

• Don’t leave your baby unattended on changing tables, beds or other furniture. Keep one hand on your baby while changing diapers.

• Always check bath water for “hot spots” by moving your hand back and forth through the water.

• Avoid carrying hot foods or liquids near your baby.

• Baby Safety

  Why Kids are at Risk

  Protecting Communities 

  Frequently Asked Questions