Beware of choking hazards, such as refrigerator magnets and pen caps, toy parts (especially older siblings' toys), as well as foods such as hot dogs, grapes, hard candy, popcorn, raisins and peanuts. Throw away soap bars when they become small enough to become a choking hazard. Remember, children can choke on items smaller than 1 inch in diameter.
- Never leave a baby unattended in the tub or around water … not even for a second. You cannot rely on an infant bath seat to safeguard your baby against drowning. Also, install toilet-lid locks to prevent a curious toddler from falling in and drowning.
- To prevent poisoning, store all medicines and kitchen and bathroom supplies out of reach of crawling babies.
- Guard against strangulation hazards by keeping toys with long cords and window-covering cords out of children's reach. Avoid using looped window cords; instead, eliminate loops on two-corded blinds. Never leave a child unstrapped or unattended in a high chair. He or she could climb out and fall, or slide under the tray and be strangled.
- Make sure toy chests have a lid support and air holes. A lid that slams shut could cause head injuries or suffocation.
- Keep electrical cords out of children's reach and use outlet caps to prevent children from sticking fingers or metal objects into a socket. Keep electrical appliances away from water.
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Be Wary of Hand-Me-Downs
Before using any second hand baby products, check with the Consumer Product Safety Commission to make sure it hasn't been recalled.
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- To prevent burn injuries in the kitchen, do not hold anything hot while holding your baby. Be sure to turn the handles of pots and pans inward so children can't reach or bump them and spill the contents. Cook on the back burners and keep hot liquids out of children's reach.
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