Pregnancy, childbirth and parenting can be overwhelming and filled with the fear of the unknown. But there are many ways you can keep your baby safe you may not have considered yet!
Did you know that Infants and children are at a higher risk for choking than adults? Seems logical when you think about it. Babies explore the world around them and objects in their environment by bringing them to and often putting them in their mouths.
Here are some handy tips to keep your little ones safe:
- Keep small items like buttons out of reach
- Never leave an infant unattended on a bed, table, or other surface from which the infant could roll off.
- Always use safety straps on high chairs and strollers.
- Follow the guidelines for using infant car seats.
- Choose age-appropriate toys. Inspect toys for small or loose parts, sharp edges, points, loose batteries, and other hazards.
- Create a safe environment. Watch children carefully, particularly around water and near furniture.
- Keep toxic chemicals and cleaning solutions safely stored in childproof cabinets.
- To reduce the risk of choking do not feed your baby popcorn, hard candies, hot dogs or whole grapes until the age of 4.
- Sit with your baby while he or she eats.
- Never tie pacifiers, jewelry, chains, bracelets, or anything else around an infant’s neck or wrists.
- Keep cords and strings from curtains and blinds safely out of reach.
- Do not allow your baby to play with plastic bags
Why not give yourself some peace of mind and learn what to do in an emergency to save your child’s life?
Knowing what to do and how to act if your child is choking or stops breathing, is a skill that will pay you back 10 fold should you ever need to call upon that knowledge. CPR is a life-saving skill that all new parents, caregivers and grandparents should have in case of an emergency.
Join us for our “Infant Safety Night” events and learn what to do in an emergency from Paramedic Ricki Bristow. Ricki will share what to do if your infant is choking, discuss basic CPR as well as how to deal with other common medical issues like fevers and rashes.
Spaces are limited! Sign up HERE
