Preventing Childhood Accidents for Infants

Birth to 12 Months Old

Learn How To Prevent Accidents During Your Babys First Year

During their first year, infants learn to move and explore their surroundings. They learn to swallow and reach for objects. They can wave their arms and lift their heads. They also like to put objects in their mouths as a way to explore new things. With all these new abilities, accidents can happen. As a parent, its important to create a safe environment for your infant. You can help prevent many accidents if you take the proper safety precautions. Learn how to keep your infant safe from accidents like: Car-related injuries Poisoning Falls Burns Choking and suffocation Each year, many children are killed or injured in car crashes. Using car seats correctly helps keep infants safe:

Car-related Injuries

Always put your infant in a car seat. Dont hold your infant in the car, even for a quick ride. Make sure the car seat is installed correctly in the vehicle and the harness fits your infant snugly. All car seats must be in the back seat. Rear-facing car seats are best for infants. You can use a forward-facing car seat if your infant is 1 year old and at least 20 pounds.

ALSO:
Never leave your child alone in the car. Use window shades to protect your infant from the sun while in the car.
2

Falls

When infants fall, they can become seriously wounded. Injuries from falls are easy to prevent if you keep a watchful eye on your infant.

Never leave your child alone. Newborns and infants can easily move and fall off the edge of a table, sofa, or bed. Always keep your hand on your infant while bathing or changing a diaper, even when you turn away. Be sure to raise and secure the side of your infants crib. Always keep the crib away from windows. Fasten the safety belt when your infant is using a jumper or high chair. Install window guards in any windows that are not used as an emergency exit. If you live in an apartment, make sure your landlord installs proper window guards. Its the law.

Burns

Infants can get burned whether they are inside or outside of the home.

Never eat, drink, or carry any hot items or liquids around your infant. Dont hold your baby while you are cooking in the kitchen. Before you put your infant in the bathtub, test the water with your wrist or elbow. The water temperature should be around 120-130 F. Keep electrical cords away from the crib so that your infant cannot put them in his or her mouth. Have your infant wear a hat when outdoors. Once your infant is 6 months old, use a sunscreen made for infants. Also keep your infant indoors during the hottest part of the day.
3

Poisoning

Poison can harm your infant if its swallowed, inhaled, or in contact with the skin or eyes. Many poisons are in everyday household products or medicines. Even small amounts of poison can be dangerous and need to be kept away from children.

Never leave medication near your infant. Your infant can pick it up and put it in his or her mouth. Always keep dangerous materials in their original containers and locked up. Store them separately from any foods. This prevents them from mixing with your infants food. Use paint that is safe for your infants room. Read labels to make sure it does not contain lead or harmful materials. Choking and suffocation can be life-threatening. It is important for parents to childproof their infants surroundings.

Choking & Suffocation

Keep small objects such as pins, bottle caps, and marbles out of your childs reach. Keep drapes, cords, and plastic materials away from infants and their crib. This prevents your infant from becoming strangled. Take stuffed animals, pillows, and toys out of the crib. They can suffocate your infant while he or she is sleeping. Only give age-appropriate toys to your baby to play with. Toys with smaller parts are dangerous. Babies can start solid food at about 5 or 6 months old. Be sure you feed the baby fine chopped or grounded food, and feed them slowly.

General Info Line / (212) 226-8339 Website / www.cbwchc.org 268 Canal Street, New York, NY 10013 Internal Medicine / (212) 379-6998 Womens Health / (212) 966-0228 125 Walker Street, 2/F, New York, NY 10013 Pediatrics & Adolescent Health / (212) 226-3888 Dental / (212) 226-9339 136-26 37th Avenue, 2 & 4/F, Flushing, NY 11354 Internal Medicine / OB/GYN / (718) 886-1200 Pediatrics / (718) 886-1222 Health Education Department / (212) 966-0461
The Charles B. Wang Community Health Center encourages electronic or print redistribution of this material for non-profit purposes, provided that you acknowledge this material as the health centers work product. Unauthorized, for profit redistribution is not allowed. The content of this brochure has been reviewed by clinical staff. The content is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See your doctor if you have questions about a medical condition.

1/2010