Parents, we know that protecting children from harm and ensuring their safety is one of the top priorities – and for some of us, a major cause of gray hair! While there are some things in life that your little one is just going to want to learn the hard way (and they should – it teaches them independence and natural consequences), many of the most common accidents and injuries are completely preventable! Check out these common baby safety concerns and tips for making your home more child and safety-friendly (via CDC, SkinCancer.org, and IAFCS)

Safety at Home

Remember, the types of risks your child may encounter are likely to be different depending on their age and mobility. For example, babies may be more vulnerable to choking as they explore their world by putting everything in their mouths, whereas toddlers and older kids may be more at risk of an object falling on them due to their increased mobility.

Injuries

• Put protective coverings over table edges and sharp corners around the house to protect wobbly toddler noggins.
• Make sure all electrical appliances are unplugged when not in use and that socket protectors are inserted to prevent your little one from sticking toys in there.
• Keep trashcans (especially those in the bathroom) in a secured cabinet out of baby’s reach. In addition to housing germs, trashcans can also hold a wide range of hazards to your little one (medications, razors, items with body gunk, etc…).
• One of the primary modes of injury for children under 5 is when they climb or grab for items out of their reach. Secure all TVs and furniture to the wall to avoid tipping over in the event that your little one decides to explore rappelling.

 Image via Childproofing Experts.

Choking Prevention

• Get on your child’s level so you can see potential choking hazards in their direct line of vision (i.e. if you have a baby, lie on the floor and do a scan of the floor).
• Keep children seated during snack and meal times.
• If your baby is mobile, be sure that there are safety locks on all cabinets, and keep all cleaning solutions, detergents and other potential poisons on higher shelves.
• Avoid putting pet food and water on the floor as it can pose a risk not only for choking but drowning as well. (If I had a nickel for every time I’d catch my daughter trying to eat a handful of cat food with her 2 little teeth…) Feed your pets at specific times or simply put their food in a higher location or enclosed room, to remove your child’s access to it.

Strangulation

• Keep your monitor cord away from the crib so your baby can’t pull it inside
• Tie up any cords to blinds or window shades
• Put away any electronics with cords (i.e. phone charger)

If your baby is choking or has experienced strangulation, call 911 for instructions on what to do or ask someone to call 911.

The CDC has an extensive list of topics addressing child safety - check their website to learn more about age-appropriate risks and what you can do to help protect your little ones at home.‍

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Safety in Public

Motor Vehicle Safety

• When children are buckled in an age and size-appropriate car seat, it can cut serious and fatal injuries by HALF!
• Babies must be buckled in a rear-facing car seat until at LEAST age 2 or when they reach the upper weight or height limit of that seat. Current research also encourages parents to continue the use of rear-facing car seats as long as possible if the child has reached 2 years, but hasn't yet reached the maximum weight or height.
• A baby’s pelvis is simply not developed enough to offer adequate protection and can face severe injuries in the event of an accident if the child is put in a forward-facing seat too soon.
• Be sure you don't swaddle your children or bundle them in thick baby coats when they're in the car seat. Their movement is restricted and it can cause suffocation. To keep your baby warm, simply cover the carseat in a blanket below their face.

Image via CDC.

Water Safety

• A baby can drown in less than an inch of water, so it’s especially important to practice good water safety with our littles.
• Start swimming lessons early (6 months) to familiarize your baby with being in water – at such an early age, they will be taught how to float in the event they fall in a body of water.
• Never leave them unattended when around any type of open water.
• If you have a pool, be sure to fence it off so that mobile little ones can’t accidentally find their way inside.

Sun Safety

• Babies are more vulnerable to sun exposure as they have less melanin in their skin to protect against UV rays, and less hair to protect their heads.
• Babies less than 6 months have skin that is too sensitive for sunscreen, so it’s important to keep them out of the sun, especially during the heat of the day. Dress them in lightweight material with long sleeves and be sure to have a hat that covers not only their head, but their neck and ears too if you’re going out.
• Babies older than 6 months may use sunscreen, but are still vulnerable to getting overheated easily. When putting on sunscreen, be sure to squeeze or spray it into your hands and then apply it to your baby’s skin – don’t spray it directly.

Don't forget - kids can also start to show signs of sickness when you're away from home. Keep your Kinsa thermometer in your diaper bag when you're on the go so you can check your baby's temperature and track any symptoms the moment they show signs of sickness.

This post was written by Michaela Hayes. Michaela is a public health nerd and WAHM to a 17 month old toddler.  With a background in international health education and child development, Michaela has leveraged her perpetually wandering feet to promote positive sexual  and family health across the globe. She lives with her husband and daughter in the Bay Area.