Oh BABY! | 37 Your child’s safety is an important responsibility – your responsibility. The tips below should help you to keep your baby safe and out of harm’s way. For the first 2 months, don’t take your baby to large public places such as malls and grocery stores – avoid crowds (germs). Keep your well-baby doctor appointments as it is important to check your baby’s developmental milestones. Smoking and Fire Safety – Do not smoke or allow smoking around your baby. Install a working smoke alarm on every level of your home. Change the batteries on your smoke detector every 6 months. Have at least one fire ex- tinguisher on every level of your home. If your home uses gas heat, install a carbon monoxide detector. Safety in the Car – Always use a federally approved car seat. Read the instructions for installation. Car seats should face the rear of the vehicle for the for the first 2 years of the baby’s life. The safest location for the seat is the middle of the back seat. Never put the baby in the front seat or on your lap. Disengage the air bag if you are in a truck with no back seat. Leave your purse, briefcase, or cell phone in the back seat to avoid accidentally leaving the child in the car – this will get you in the habit of looking in the back seat. Preventing Falls – If you use an infant carrier, always place it on the floor – not on a counter or table – and make sure the baby is strapped in. Never leave the baby alone on a couch, changing table, or bed. Preventing Baby Burns – Don’t hold hot liquids when holding your baby. Do not microwave the baby’s bottle – microwaves heat unevenly and can burn the baby’s mouth. Warm the bottle in a bowl of warm water – shake the bottle – test the temperature. Preventing Accidents – Keep sharp objects in secure places – out of baby’s reach. Don’t shake or throw the baby in the air (blindness and brain damage can occur). Secure lamps that have cords to the baseboards (try using electrical tape along the baseboards). Keep cleaning items and drugs out of your child’s reach. Bath Safety – Start bathing after the cord falls off using soap for sensitive skin. Always test the water to make sure it is not too hot (before setting your baby in the water). Dipping your elbow in the water is a good way to test. It’s a good idea to turn the hot water heater to 120 degrees F. Never leave the baby unattended or with a sibling – it only takes seconds for a baby to drown. Bathroom appli- ances (hair dryer, curling iron, radio) should be away from the water/tub. Make sure these appliances are unplugged when not in use. Toy Safety – Inspect toys regularly for breaks, sharp edges, small parts – toys should be larger than your baby’s mouth. Toy chests need to be open (no lids) or with sup- ports that keep it open in any position. Choking/Strangulation – Keep cords away from the baby’s crib – secure cords on blinds. Make sure cloth- ing with buttons are secure and tight (the buttons). Don’t use baby items that have strings or cords. Put away small objects that can cause choking. Safe Sleeping – The baby should have a separate sleeping space (crib, bassinette, or cradle). A firm mattress with a tight fitting sheet is best. No bumper pad, pillows, or fluffy blankets in the crib. Crib is away from cords/ blinds/electric outlets. Place your baby on his or her back for the first 4 months – no pillows. A one-piece sleeper is a good choice for sleeping. Don’t share a bed with your baby. More Tips – Take a CPR class. Gather a list of emergency numbers and keep them by the phone (or in your mobile) – pediatrician, health care provider, family doctor, police department, fire department, and poison control. Have a will and name a guardian for your child in the event some- thing should happen to you and your husband. Safety and Baby-Proofing Your Home Photo by Edith Saldana Photography