Posted: 9/2/2014
Awareness, precautions prevent injuries to little ones
Bringing your new baby home is one of life’s most exciting moments, but it can be a bit frightening, too. Not only do new parents need to learn the ABCs of breastfeeding, diapers and bottles – they also need to look around their house with fresh eyes to identify hazards that could harm their little bundle of joy.
Experts at the Injury Prevention Center of Greater Dallas (IPC), housed at Parkland Health & Hospital System, say it’s important to assess everything from car seats to cribs. “September is National Baby Safety Month, a good time for parents, grandparents and caregivers to create a safer environment for their babies,” said Shelli Stephens-Stidham, IPC director.
“Your baby’s car seat is one of the most crucial safety products you’ll buy,” Stephens-Stidham stated. “Child safety seats reduce the risk of injuries for babies substantially. In 2011, 3,311 children died from motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. Locally, 92 percent of child car seats checked are not installed correctly.”
The IPC is collaborating with other area hospitals and organizations during National Child Passenger Safety Week (Sept.14-20), to hold the largest car seat checkup event in Texas on National Seat Check Saturday, Sept. 20. The free event will be held at Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Park in Arlington (Lot F). In addition, IPC offers free car seat safety inspections year-round throughout the Dallas area.
Strollers should also be purchased with safety in mind, whether buying one new or second-hand:
- Choose a stroller with a base wide enough to prevent tipping, even when the baby leans over the side
- If adjustable to reclining position, make sure it won’t tip backwards when the baby is lying down
- Make sure the stroller has adjustments to reduce the size of seat openings in the front to prevent the baby from falling out when the seat back is reclined
- If the stroller is collapsible, always be sure latches are secure before putting the baby in and check that the child’s arms are out of the way when reversing handle directions to avoid pinching
High chairs should have a waist and crotch strap, and no sharp edges. Play yards should have mesh holes no larger than ¼ inch. Select a wireless baby monitor to avoid risk of strangulation, and do not put the monitor in the baby’s crib, bassinet or bed.
If using a crib with wooden slats, make sure they are no more than 2-3/8 inches apart and all slats are secure. Position the crib away from windows, electric outlets and lamps, and make sure no pictures are hanging over the crib. Check to be sure all sleepwear is fire retardant. And never use strings to attach a pacifier to the baby’s clothes or crib.
It won’t be long until that helpless newborn begins crawling. Have you installed child safety latches on lower cupboards? Are medications and hazardous chemicals placed up high inside locking cupboards?
Drowning occurs far too often when small children are left unattended in the bath tub. Be sure that the water heater is not set higher than 120 degrees to avoid scalding your baby’s delicate skin. If you have a pool or hot tub, is it secured by a 4-sided 5-foot fence, with self-closing and self-latching gates, or completely covered with a safety cover? Have you installed alarms on all doors leading from the house to the pool?
Bolt your bookshelves to the walls to prevent a unit toppling over on a climbing baby. And start watching your cooking habits – use back burners for frying and boiling, and turn all pot handles toward the back of the stove. If there’s an unused freezer or refrigerator stored on your property, haul it away. Children can crawl in and suffocate. Check the cords on draperies and blinds. Be sure they are tied up or cut off to be beyond a child’s reach – cords have caused strangulation of small children.
Finally, take a toddler’s-eye tour of your home. Crawl around each room on your hands and knees and see your home through a small child’s eyes. It’s a great way to assess whether your house is safe for a curious baby intent on exploring his or her world.
For more child safety tips and information, please contact the Injury Prevention Center at Parkland at 214.590.4455 or visit
www.injurypreventioncenter.org.