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Infant
Safety
Accidental
injuries and poisoning carry a higher mortality than all diseases in the 1-10
year age group. Although less mobile, even young infants can be hurt in
accidents and a few precautions are in order:
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ALWAYS
USE AN APPROVED CHILD SAFETY CAR SEAT that has been properly installed
when traveling in any motor vehicle. Although it may feel safe, never hold
your infant in your arms in the car. No matter how strong you are, the force
of even a minor crash will propel the infant from you, perhaps with fatal
consequences. This applies to the first ride home from the hospital,
so you should have the car seat ready in the car when you get picked up to
go home.
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NEVER
LEAVE YOUR BABY ON TOP OF ANYTHING, even briefly—changing table, adult
bed, dresser, counter top—it is too easy for them to roll off on to the
floor.
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NEVER
LEAVE A BOTTLE PROPPED IN THE BABY'S MOUTH—Your baby may have no way
to get the bottle out and could choke on milk coming out too quickly.
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DON'T
HEAT BABY BOTTLES IN THE MICROWAVE—The contents can get fire-hot while
the bottle stays relatively cool and the contents can heat unevenly—some
parts remain cold, others too hot.
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NEVER
GIVE YOUR INFANT MEDICINE PRESCRIBED FOR ANYONE ELSE, especially an
older child. Newborns can tolerate only very small quantities of medicines
and must be treated cautiously.
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NEVER
LEAVE AN INFANT ALONE IN A BATH, HIGH CHAIR, OR CAR.
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KEEP
THE CRIB SLATS NO MORE THAN 2-3/8 INCHES APART AND THE SIDE RAILS HIGH AND
SECURE. Move the mattress down as the baby grows and learns to pull up.
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NEVER
PUT ANY NECKLACES, RIBBONS OR STRINGS AROUND YOUR INFANTS NECK. They can
easily become twisted and strangle your baby.
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NEVER
LEAVE YOUR BABY UNDER THE CARE OF A YOUNG SIBLING, EVEN IF IT'S JUST A FEW
SECONDS.
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NEVER
LEAVE YOUR BABY ALONE IN THE HOUSE OR CAR. If you leave your baby alone
in a room, make sure you are able to hear him/her.
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