Keeping Your Baby Safe

Keeping your baby safe

As your baby progresses from newborn to toddler you will need to be one step ahead in providing protection from hazards in the environment. Children need constant supervision.

Expanding horizons

Everyone in your house, including young children should know how to dial 111 in an emergency
Don’t leave your baby alone on any surface such as a changing table, kitchen bench or sofa.
Never leave your baby unattended for even a few seconds when he is in water, he can drown in a few centimeters of water.
Never carry your baby whilst you are also holding a hot drink.
Watch for small objects, pieces of leggo, bits from older children’s toys that may be within reach of your baby.
Keep your baby out of walkers-they have been responsible for many accident
Keep your baby out of direct sunlight in the middle of the day

Car safety

Always buckle your baby into the car seat, no matter how short the journey.
The safest place is in the back seat.
Never leave your baby unattended in a car; a child left in a car on a warm summer day can rapidly develop heatstroke and could die.
Never leave matches or anything dangerous in the glove box.
Second hand car seats need checking in case there has been damage in an accident.
Seek professional advice regarding upgrading the seat as your child grows.

Explorers on the move

Time to cruise round the house at child level.

Check for top heavy items like table lamps, bookshelves, chairs that might fall if pulled by your baby.
Any electrical cords or outlets within reach? Install plastic plug fillers to keep prying fingers out.
Check there are no electric jug, or iron cords dangling.
Cords attached to drapes and blinds? Hook them up out of reach of your baby.
Time to dispense with table cloths and use table mats instead.
Fireguards need to be in place.
Use safety gates on stairways.
Fit safety glass in low level glass doors.
Your bedroom, are there any pills lying around?

In the kitchen

Cleaning materials, bleach, dishwasher powder-all need to be in a cupboard out of reach
Keep sharp objects such as knives and glass out of reach.
Never leave pots with the handles extending over the edge of the stove.
Never allow young children to play with matches. Bathrooms
Medicines should be in a high, locked cupboard.
Cleaning materials need storing well out of reach.
Always empty the bath immediately after use.
Unplug hairdryers in the bathroom
If possible have a door handle or latch out of reach of your “cruiser” so that the door can be shut.

Outside

Ensure there is a safe, fenced area away from the drive for outdoor play
The swimming pool must fully comply with council fencing requirements.
In addition to pool fencing, ensure there are no pot plants or other objects a child could use to climb over the fence.
Always supervise when your child is in a paddling pool. The water should be emptied immediately after use.
Keep garden tools in a locked shed Always keep paint cleaners and pesticides in their original containers, never store them in soft drink bottles.
Take care not to plant poisonous plants
Make sure there are no matches left round a barbecue for children to play with.
Be sunsafe, wear hats, cover up between 11 - 3pm and apply sunscreen.

Stop press

It is recommended that babies should be taken out of car seats at the end of a journey, even if it means waking them. Car seats are important in cars, but shouldn’t be used as household beds

Dog SafetyAt home:

Never leave your baby (or young child) and dog alone together even to answer the door or go to the toilet – take either one of them with you.
Supervise children at all times when interacting with a dog – especially visiting children.

Teach children:

not to approach a dog that is eating, sleeping, has puppies or is hurt. -
not to hug or kiss dogs - face-to-face contact is a common cause of bites to the face.-
never to tease or annoy dogs – they are not toys!

Out and about

Never tie a dog leash to the baby’s pram – hold it in your hand.
Always ask the owner’s permission before patting their dog.
Keep away from stray dogs.
Stay as still as a statue if a strange dog approaches – don’t scream and run away or stare a dog in the eyes (dogs will usually sniff you and go away).

Poisoning

Most poisonings are preventable, and you should make every effort to poison proof your home. If you suspect your child has swallowed or eaten something poisonous, remove it from him immediately.

Don’t give your child anything to drink.
Don’t try to make your child vomit.Immediately call the Poisons Information Centre 0800 POISON (0800 764 766) or your doctor. If you can quickly find the poison container, or plant, take it with you to the phone. The Poisons Information Centre or your doctor need to know what has been swallowed and how much. They will give you information as to the firstaid treatment and tell you whether you should take your child to the doctor or a hospital.
If you do not have a phone or you can’t get a reply to your phone call, take your child and the bottle, container or plant straight to your doctor, nearest medical centre, hospital emergency department, or phone 111 from the nearest phone.
If you know your child has taken a corrosive substance (one which burns the inside of the mouth or throat such as automatic dishwasher detergent, battery fl uid, bleach or rat poison) immediately give a small amount of fluid – quarter of a glass.

Poisons should be out of reach or in a locked cupboard. Remember, if you think your child may have swallowed a poison, call the Poisons Information Centre or your doctor immediately.

Poisons Information Centre –Phone 0800 POISON (0800 764 766)