Motherly Love Digi-Mag Autumn 2022

57
FAMILY ADVICE
SAFE & SOUND
5 ways to reduce safety risks for young children
As parents, one
of your top
priorities is
the safety and
well-being of your children.
With all the potential
pitfalls of day-to-day life,
however, navigating the
risks can be difficult.
These everyday safety
tips can help you navigate
everything from car seat
safety to baby-proofing and
safe sleep, keeping your
child out of harm’s way as
much as possible from birth
through his or her toddler
years.
Car Seat Safety
• Always use a valid
(typically less than 6 years
old), federally approved car
seat in motor vehicles.
• Ensure the seat is properly
installed. Refer to the
instruction manual with
any questions.
• If you use an infant
carrier, strap your child
in on the floor, never a
counter or tabletop.
• For at least the first two
years of your child’s life, the
car seat should be rearfacing.
• The safest location for a
car seat is in the middle of
the back seat.
Choking Prevention
• Avoid giving your child
nuts, popcorn, hard
candies, hot dogs and raw
fruits and vegetables, such
as grapes or carrots, that
may present a choking
hazard.
• Never prop up a bottle
and leave your baby
unattended.
• Inspect toys often to
ensure they’re not broken
and do not have small
pieces that could easily
become detached.
• Be cautious of strings and
buttons on clothing.
Safe Sleep
• The safest place for your
baby to sleep is on his or
her back, which reduces
the risk for Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome (SIDS).
• Avoid placing anything in
the crib or bassinet
that may suffocate your
child, such as pillows,
blankets or bumpers.
• Keep your child’s room
at a moderate temperature
and dress him or her
appropriately to avoid
overheating.
• Never leave your baby
alone on a bed, couch,
changing table, swing or
infant seat.
Water Safety
• Test the temperature of
bath water before setting
your baby in the tub.
• Never leave your baby
unattended in the
bathtub.
• Keep toilet lids down
and consider installing
toilet lid locks.
Baby-Proofing
• Install smoke and carbon
monoxide detectors on
every level of your home
and in every sleeping area.
• Secure cords on blinds
and drapes out of reach.
• Keep sharp objects, such
as knives, scissors and
tools, and other hazardous
items, like coins, beads and
pins, in a secure place out
of baby’s reach.
• Store cleaning products
and medications in locked
cabinets. Never store
potentially toxic substances
in containers that could be
mistaken for food or drink.
• Cover all electrical
outlets.
• Cushion hard edges and
sharp corners of furniture
and decor.
• Secure cords to electrical
items along baseboards
using electrical tape.
• Attach heavy or tall
furniture to the wall and
avoid placing items that
could fall, like electronics
or lamps, on top of dressers
or shelves.
• Install safety gates with
straight, vertical slats
securely in front of all
stairwells. ■
Find more tips and ideas
to keep your children safe
at home and on the go, at
eLivingtoday.com
motherlylove.co.za