September is Baby Safety Month
Being aware of the products in and around your home is just another step in preparing for baby’s arrival and as baby grows. Baby proofing your home is the most important thing you can do to ensure baby’s safety. Get down on your hands and knees and think like a baby! This is a great activity for both mom and dad since males and females tend to look at and inspect different aspects of the home and safety measures in general.
1. Check your car seat installation. One of the simplest ways to make sure baby is safe while you drive. Car seats are all slightly different and fit differently depending on your vehicle. Before bringing baby home, take your car and car seat to a local fire department for a free car seat check.
2. Avoid high surfaces. Even though newborns can't yet crawl, they are surprisingly wiggly. Avoid placing your newborn — whether in or out of an infant carrier car seat or "bouncy" seat — on a high surface. This includes the seat part of a shopping cart, which can cause serious injury if an infant carrier topples to the ground.
3. Watch your pets around baby. When bringing baby home for the first time, pay close attention to how your pet(s) react to baby. Never leave your baby and pet) unattended together.
4. Learn about babywearing safety. There are right and wrong ways to "wear" your baby in a carrier, and each carrier is different. Be sure you know how to safely wear your carrier
5. Know first aid procedures. Take an infant/child CPR and choking training class. 911 is always available, but knowing how to perform life-saving maneuvers should you need them will buy you crucial time.
6. Practice safe co-sleeping. If you choose to share your bed with baby, be sure to know the ways in which co-sleeping can be done safely.
7. Bathe your baby safely. One of parents' top reported fears about newborns and babies is giving a bath safely. And rightfully so — babies are slippery!