Each September since 1983, the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association sponsors Baby Safety Month to help parents understand the best products and advice for protecting the health (and lives) of infants. The public awareness campaign addresses how to find the safest baby products and offers crucial information for parents for household safety, car safety, and sleep safety.
Eureka Fire Protection District wants every parent to feel empowered to protect their children. This month, learn the best safety tips, products, and recommendations for baby safety!
Table of Contents:
Car Seat Safety
Tips for Buying the Best Infant Car Seat
Buying Used Car Seats
Convertible Car Seat Safety Guidelines
Schedule a Free Car Seat Installation with EFPD
Baby Sleep Safety
Crib Safety
Playard Baby Safety
Bassinet Sleep Safety
Baby Safety Around the Home
When to Install a Baby Safety Gate
Installing a Baby Window Guard
Outlet Covers Protect Baby from Shocks
The Importance of Child Safety Locks for Doors
Always Install Child Safety Locks for Drawers
Corner Bumpers Provide a Safe Cushion
Furniture Anchors Protect Against Tipping
Avoid Burn Injuries With Antiscald Shower/Tub Control
How to Find Product Recalls
Key Takeaways:
Understanding the availability of safety products designed for babies and children enhances home safety during bedtime and in the car. Always shop for JPMA-certified products and be mindful of product recalls.
Car Seat Safety
A properly installed infant car seat protects children from injury and fatality in the event of a crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that car seats saved the lives of 325 children (in 2017).
Every state has its laws that guide child safety restraints in automobiles. Missouri law dictates that children under the age of 4 (and less than 40 pounds) must be in a car seat. Children over the age of 4 (through age 7) who weigh 40 pounds must use a booster seat until they are 4’9” or more than 80 pounds. Older children must be properly restrained using a seatbelt.
Tips for Buying the Best Infant Car Seat
When shopping for a car seat for a newborn, older infant, or toddler, parents can feel overwhelmed by the choices (and the prices). The most expensive car seat is not necessarily the safest.
Parents should choose a car seat that is suitable for their child’s size (weight and height). Some parents prefer to use a car seat that attaches to a stroller. Others want a car seat that stays in the car. Always read the specifications of each car seat (or booster). Parents should also be sure that the seat they choose receives JPMA certification.
Proper car seat placement is important to ensure safety. Babies and toddlers should be restrained in a rear-facing seat until the age of two (and ideally longer). Rear-facing is always the safest position for babies and toddlers.
Buying Used Car Seats
Parents on a budget might look for a used car seat to save money. Unless parents know the history of the car seat, do NOT use a pre-owned, pre-loved, or used car seat. A car accident or other issue can negatively impact the protective design of a car seat, jeopardizing safety and increasing the risk of injury.
There are many affordable car seats on the market. In addition, many health organizations offer free car seats to parents (although income guidelines may apply). The SSM Cardinal Glennon Safety Program provides free car seats to low-income families.
Convertible Car Seat Safety Guidelines
Convertible car seats allow parents to adapt the seat to their child’s growth. These seats support a newborn, an older infant, and toddlers, too. These seats are an economical (and practical) choice as parents do not need to buy multiple car seats as their child grows. There are many designs and styles for convertible car seats, but do not forget to look for the JPMA-certified seal!
Schedule a Free Car Seat Installation with EFPD
An improperly installed car seat puts infants at risk for injury in the event of a crash. Unfortunately, about half of all car seats are incorrectly installed.
The Eureka Fire Protection District offers free car seat installation to all Eureka residents; we teach parents how to properly install car seats, adjust restraints, and check the latches. Please schedule an appointment; we are happy to help!
Baby Sleep Safety Tips, Products, and Guidelines
Newborns and infants who are unable to roll over can suffocate when placed in a sleep environment with plush toys, blankets, pillows, crib bumpers, and other soft hazards. Always create a safe sleep environment. Put babies on their back to sleep; do not install crib bumpers, and avoid placing stuffed animals, blankets, pillows and other soft items in a crib, bassinet or playard with baby.
Use blanket sleepers to keep the baby warm during cool nights and days. These special sleepers zip up over a onesie or light sleeper.
Crib Safety
When shopping for a crib, avoid any crib with a drop-down side panel. These cribs were once a popular choice, but in 2010 the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warned parents against using them as infants had been injured and killed when sleeping in this crib design. In 2011, drop-down cribs were banned in the U.S.
Some parents opt to use second hand cribs. However, drop-side cribs should not be used. In addition, parents must check the slat spacing for any infant crib. If a soda can fits between the slats, the spacing is too wide (and a safety hazard).
Remember to avoid using any crib bumpers, pillows, or blankets. In addition, mobiles (placed above the crib) also pose a safety risk.
Playard Baby Safety
Playards are another economical and safe sleeping environment. Choose a playard that includes the JPMA-certified seal. Again, avoid placing blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, or another soft item that can pose a suffocation risk.
Bassinet Sleep Safety
Parents often use bassinets during the first months, placing these small beds next to their bed to keep baby near (but in a safe place). Again, look for bassinets with the JPMA seal, and avoid any plush items. Use blanket sleepers in place of blankets. Always abide by the manufacturer’s weight limits, moving baby to a larger crib when necessary.
Baby Safety Around the Home
Safety dangers lurk around the home. Before the arrival of a new baby, always babyproof the home. Grandparents also must baby proof their homes to ensure that grandbabies stay safe in their care. Here are the products every parent should use when baby proofing the home:
Baby gates
Window guards (second-story windows)
Outlet covers
Safety locks (on exterior doors, basement doors, etc.)
Safety locks for drawers and cabinets
Corner bumpers (coffee tables, fireplaces, etc.)
Furniture anchors on all heavy furniture that could topple
Anti-scald controls for tub and shower
When to Install a Baby Safety Gate
Baby safety gates are adjustable plastic (or partially wood) gates that allow parents to block off areas of their home that pose a safety hazard. Install baby gates in front of all staircases, rooms with dangerous items, etc. Remember that baby development is unique; some babies walk before they crawl. Be prepared and install gates early!
Installing a Baby Window Guard
Window guards protect babies from falling out of windows; the guards look like small fences and save lives. Open windows or windows that are easy to open pose a fall risk. Lock all windows and install window guards for maximum protection! Accidents can happen to anyone; the song “Tears in Heaven” was written by Eric Clapton after his four-year-old son Connor fell from an open apartment window.
Outlet Covers Protect Baby from Electrical Shocks
Outlet covers or plugs are one of the simplest safety features to install. These plastic pieces cover outlets, keeping little fingers out of the sockets. Every outlet should be covered in the house.
The Importance of Child Safety Locks for Doors
Child safety locks prevent children from opening doors and wandering outside or in dangerous rooms of the home. Install these locks on every exterior door, doors leading to steep basement stairs, and rooms with any safety hazards.
Always Install Child Safety Locks for Drawers
Many drawers are simple to open. Unfortunately, drawers often include kitchen knives, scissors, or other sharp or dangerous items. Locks make it nearly impossible for children to open drawers and peek or explore inside.
Corner Bumpers Provide a Safe Cushion
Adults know the pain of bumping the corner of a coffee table with a leg or the side of a dresser with an arm. The corners leave a terrible bruise that can take days to heal. Now imagine a baby’s head hitting that corner!
Corner bumpers are cushy pads that cover the corners of tables, fireplaces, and other sharp areas. Install them on all corners that pose a danger.
Furniture Anchors Protect Against Tipping and Toppling
As babies learn to walk, they use their surroundings to pull themselves up. If a large piece of furniture is unstable, it could fall and crush small children. Protect babies, and use furniture anchors to lock all heavy items in place.
Avoid Burn Injuries With Antiscald Shower and Tub Control
Extremely hot water can scald infants, toddlers, and small children, leading to serious injury or death. While parents should adjust the thermostat on their water heater to minimize the risk of scalding, anti-scald shower and tub controls add another layer of protection. Find anti-scald pieces at home improvement stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot.
How to Find Baby Product Recalls
If a product leads to injuries or poses a safety hazard, manufacturers issue a product recall. Parents must be aware of product recalls, as recalled items can lead to injury or worse.
The CPSC offers a searchable database to check products and find recall information. The recall page also posts recent recalls. Parents should bookmark the site to be aware of new product recalls impacting their infants or children.
Sign Up for Car Seat Installations and More!
EFPD wants to ensure that Eureka residents have resources to keep their children safe from infancy and beyond. Our crews offer free car seat installation, and we urge all parents to take advantage of this service. Parents helping their teen pack for college can download an emergency checklist with all the necessary safety supplies. We aim to help all parents feel empowered and worry a little less!
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