Safety Measures Around the Home

From birth to age 2, children depend on parents and other caregivers for their safety. Safety issues change and increase rapidly in number as newborns grow into toddlers. It is important to consider your child's physical and mental development when evaluating current and future hazards.

Although close supervision is important, it is not realistic to think that you can watch your child's every move. Also, constantly hovering over your child can limit his or her experiences and confidence. Balancing supervision with safety precautions will not only help prevent accidents and injuries but also allow your child to explore and discover.

Taking the time to research and adopt safe habits can help to prevent common accidents and injuries that can occur around the house.

Use safe baby products

In the United States, safety standards for children's equipment, furniture, clothing, and other items are set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Although most new items you purchase will likely meet these standards, older and used items may not. Equipment that has been used before, such as a baby carrier, may not be safe. These items may have wear and tear that affects how they function. The CPSC may also have recalled some items because of reported hazards.

Check that all the products your baby uses meet current standards. The following list provides safety information for items frequently used by children up to age 2:

• Cribs should meet all current safety standards, such as having less than 2 3/8 inches (60 mm) of space between slats. Lower the mattress and remove mobiles from the crib as your baby grows. Don't use sleep positioners or bumper pads.
• Baby walkers should not be used, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children can fall down stairs and get hurt. An activity center is a better choice.
• Playpens should have spaces in the mesh material that do not exceed 0.25 in. (0.6 cm) across. Wooden slats should measure less than 2 3/8 inches (60 mm) apart.¹ Be careful about the toys you put in the playpen. As your children grow, they can get tangled in mobiles or may use larger toys as steps to boost them out of the enclosure.
• High chairs should have a wide, stable base. Always take time to make sure the high chair is locked in the upright position before use. If you need to use a seat that hooks onto a table, make sure it locks onto the table. And make sure your baby can't push against the table support. Use the safety straps, and supervise your child at all times while he or she is in the high chair.
• Changing tables should have a railing on all sides that is 2 in. (5.1 cm) high. A slightly indented changing surface is also recommended. Always use the safety strap, and keep one hand on your child. Have diapers and other items handy, but keep them out of your child's reach.

To help you keep track of important safety features, see the topic Nursery Equipment Safety Checklist.

For more information about equipment standards from the CPSC, see the Other Places to Get Help section of this topic.

Safe sleeping and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Sudden infant death syndrome is one of the most common causes of death for babies 1 month to 12 months old. Most babies who die of SIDS are 2 to 4 months old. Although SIDS cannot be predicted or completely prevented, placing your baby to sleep on his or her back can help prevent this tragedy. For more information, see the topic Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Preventing falls

You can prevent many falling accidents by using common sense and appropriate equipment that meets all safety standards. Recognize new hazards that your baby will encounter as he or she learns to scoot, crawl, and walk.

• As soon as your baby can walk, lock doors to all dangerous areas.
• Use sliding gates at both ends of stairs. Look for a gate with openings no bigger than 2 3/8 inches (60 mm). Do not use accordion-style gates, because a child's head could get caught.
• Install window guards. Or use a window stop so that sliding windows won't open more than 4 in. (10 cm).
• Don't allow children to climb on high furniture.
• Do not use baby walkers.
• Be careful when using equipment such as high chairs and changing tables. Always use the safety straps, and keep a close eye on your child.

Choking

Help prevent your child from choking by offering the right kinds of foods and keeping an eye out for choking hazards.

• Learn to recognize the signs of choking so you can react quickly. For example, a child who is choking can't talk, cry, breathe, or cough. For more information, see the topic Choking Rescue Procedure (Heimlich Maneuver).
• Know how to select and prepare foods. For example, choose soft foods that can be cut up into small pieces, such as cooked carrots. Avoid round, firm foods such as hot dogs, grapes, nuts, and raisins.
• Establish certain areas for eating, such as the kitchen table or dining room. Teach your child to sit down while he or she is eating and to chew carefully. Don't force a child to eat when he or she is not hungry. These practices will also help your child to build lifelong healthy eating habits.
• Keep small objects out of your child's reach. In general, objects smaller than 1.25 in. (3.18 cm) in diameter and 2.25 in. (5.72 cm) long are choking hazards. Examples include coins, buttons, and bottle caps.
• Do not allow your child to eat while he or she is walking, running, playing, or riding in a car.
• Never leave rubber bands or deflated balloons around the house where children can reach them.
• Do not allow young children to chew gum or eat hard candy.

Strangulation and suffocation

A young child can strangle from a variety of household items. Protect your child by minimizing these hazards:

• Keep cords for blinds and drapes out of your child's reach. Attach cords to mounts that hold them taut, and wrap them around wall brackets.
• Cords with loops should be cut and given safety tassels instead.
• Never use accordion-style gates. A baby or young child may trap his or her head in the gate and may strangle.
• Make sure that furniture does not have cutout portions or other areas that can trap your child's head.
• Be careful with baby slings. Keep your child's chin up and keep his or her nose and mouth away from the fabric. Make sure you can see your baby's face.

Suffocation is another danger for young children. Teach your child about suffocation and the importance of a safe play area. Pay attention to possible suffocation dangers, such as:

• Trunks of cars. Keep rear fold-down seats closed so children are not able to climb into the trunk from inside the car. Also, always lock car doors, and keep the keys out of your child's sight and reach.
• Refrigerators and freezers, even those that are not in use. If you are storing an old refrigerator or freezer, remove the door.
• Plastic sacks. Do not let your child play with plastic sacks, and keep them out of his or her reach. Many children like to play with sacks and put them over their heads.

Poisoning

To prevent poisoning, identify household cleaners and other chemicals, plants, medicines, makeup, perfumes, and any other products that can harm a child who eats or inhales them. It is critical to properly store these items out of reach of young children. If you have a possible poisoning emergency, call 1-800-222-1222, and you will be automatically transferred to the poison control center closest to you. For more information, see the topic Poisoning.

Lead poisoning is another cause for concern in young children who may chew on contaminated paint flakes, painted objects, or toys. House paint is no longer made with lead, but older homes may still have it on walls and other surfaces. For more information about lead, see the topic Lead Poisoning.

Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning by frequently monitoring levels and taking precautionary measures, such as having your home's heater checked each year. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. It is produced from burning fuels such as natural gas, gasoline, fuel oil, or wood (for example, in indoor heating systems, car engines, cooking appliances, or fires). High CO levels quickly affect young children because of their small size. For more information, see the topic Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.

Indoor air pollutants, such as secondhand smoke and mold, can also affect health and safety. For more information, see Tips for Reducing Indoor Pollutants in Your Home.

Fire hazards

Prevent household fires by keeping and maintaining smoke detectors and planning and practicing escape routes.

Burns

Burns are caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, radiation, or friction. Protect your child from burn injuries by identifying dangers in your home and taking measures to remove or block your child's access to them.

• Heat burns can be prevented by keeping your child away from fire, steam, hot water, and other hot liquids and objects. Do not heat bottled formula or breast milk in the microwave, because hot spots in the liquid can burn a baby's mouth and throat. Consider buying flame-resistant pajamas for your child.
• Electrical burns can be prevented by keeping electrical cords out of your child's reach and using safety covers on all electrical outlets. During electrical storms, keep your child indoors and away from windows.
• Chemical burns can be prevented by keeping all chemicals out of children's reach. Acid, such as from batteries, and alkaline products, such as drain cleaners, are especially dangerous.
• Sunburns (radiation burns) can permanently damage a child's skin. Children younger than 6 months should stay out of the sun entirely. Keep young children out of the sun, or have them use sun-protection measures while they are outdoors.
• Friction burns are usually minor injuries. Rough play or falls may cause these burns in babies or young children.
• Enjoy fireworks from a distance. Almost half of the people injured by summer fireworks are children younger than age 15.² Children can also get burns from using and being around firecrackers and sparklers.

Guns and other weapons

Gun and firearm safety measures should be established for all households and especially those where children live or visit. All guns and firearms should be kept in a locked area, unloaded, and out of reach of children. Also store knives (even kitchen knives), swords, and other weapons safely out of reach.

Pets

Pets are found in many households. Children who live in homes without pets are likely to encounter animals in other environments. Many injuries can be avoided by teaching children how to properly interact with pets. And pet owners who train and keep their animals healthy are less likely to have problems when children are around.

• Teach your child how to interact with pets when your child is old enough. Explain that animals can hurt you when they are scared, hurt, eating, or protecting their babies. Teach your child to speak quietly and move slowly around animals and to watch for animal body language that can help your child know when to stay away.
• Train and prepare your pet to behave around children. A well-trained and obedient pet is less likely to harm a child.

Drowning

Drowning is a leading cause of injury death in young children. Never leave your child alone near water. Also, follow drowning prevention recommendations from the National Safety Council, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

• Supervise all baths at all times. Always stay within an arm's reach of your child, and never leave your child alone in the tub—even with an older sibling.
• Control access to water in your home. Keep large bodies of water, such as a pond or a pool, fenced. Empty all buckets and coolers when they are not in use. Keep toilet lids down. And don't let your toddler go into the bathroom without an adult.
• Keep pool areas safe. When visiting public or private pools, keep your child within arm's reach. If you have your own pool, make sure to follow all your local safety codes. These usually are available from your city's planning department.
• Keep your child away from irrigation canals and hot tubs. Do not let your child play in or near them.

In addition to these precautions, learn first aid and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). It can make the difference between life and death.