Safety at Home
Car Safety
Real Life Stories
Hazards

Child Safety > Safety at Home

Print friendly version   print friendly version

Safety at Home
Sleeping Safely
•

Do not let your baby sleep on an adult bed unattended. Even though your baby has not started to roll, you will never know when your baby does start to roll. Your baby may roll off the bed and sustain injuries from the fall

•

Avoid sleeping with your baby on the bed. There have been cases of babies being suffocated

•
 Always use the baby cot
 
Baby Cots
•

Always put baby to sleep in a baby cot and ensure that the cot sides are secure when put up

•

Cot slats should not be more than 5 cm apart to prevent baby's head from being trapped between slats

•
 Wooden surfaces should be free of splinters, cracks and be painted with lead-free paint. This will prevent baby from suffering from lead poisoning if he has the tendency to bite or lick the cut surface when he is teething
•
 The depth of a cot must be a minimum of 60 cm to prevent baby from toppling over when standing
•
 Lower the mattress base to the lowest point as soon as baby can sit up and before he can pull himself up to stand
•
 The mattress should fit snugly so that baby cannot get his arm, leg or even his head trapped by the sides
•
 The cot mattress should be of a foam type with air holes so as to allow the infant to breathe if he turns over and lies flat on his stomach
•
 Use bumper pads that are fastened safely in place so that baby will not get his head trapped between the bumper pads
•
 Strings used to secure the bumper pads should not be longer than 30 cm to prevent strangulation
•
 As baby learns to stand, remove any items such as bumper pads or toys to prevent the baby from climbing on these and falling out of the crib
•
 Take away all pillows, fluffy beddings and plastic bags to make sure that baby does not smother
•
 Do not place crib near blinds or any ribbons or cords where baby can get entangled or strangled by the cord
•
 Ensure that mobile toys are properly secured on the crib and do not topple onto baby. Remove crib toys like musical mobiles when baby is able to sit and stand - baby may pull it down and the cords may cause strangulation

Sarong Cradles
•

Babies can fall out of sarong cradles, and the impact from the fall can cause serious injuries

•

The spring of the sarong cradle can snap

•
 Vigorous rocking can cause internal brain bleeding, lead to baby falling out of the sarong cradle, or result in baby being pushed against an adjacent wall
 
High Chairs
•

To prevent baby from falling out, choose a highchair that is stable and has a wide base to reduce the risk of tipping over. It should also have a waist and crotch strap

•

Check all parts for hazards such as sharp edges or protrusions

•
 Secure the safety latch on a folding high chair each time you assemble it
•
 Always use a safety strap / harness in the high chair.Never leave the baby unattended in the high chair
•
 Keep high chairs far enough from the table counter or wall so that baby will not push off from it and make it topple over
•
 To prevent baby's fingers from getting trapped underneath the tray, ensure that it can't be raised by baby
•
 Do not allow baby to stand up in a high chair as it may topple over.
 
Baby Walkers

The myth: Baby walkers help babies to learn how to walk.

The truth: Prolonged use of baby walkers can slow down baby's ability to walk.

Babies go through many stages of development. As the infant grows, the central nervous system matures and muscle bulk increases in size gradually. This allows the infant to move from a lying down to an upright position.

There have been no studies to prove that an infant will walk at an earlier age if he is put in a walker.

Putting an infant in a walker allows him to move around and explore his surroundings. It encourages the child to extend his legs, allowing weight bearing to occur. At the same time, the muscle groups in the legs of the baby are strengthened.

In addition, the infant should be about 5 to 6 months old before being put in a walker. This is to ensure that he has developed adequate head and upper body control in an upright position.

When the infant further develops and starts to crawl or pull himself into the standing position, other muscle groups are developed in these activities. Putting the infant in a walker then might not allow development of these other muscle groups.

As the child grows stronger, a single push on the walker might propel the infant in the walker far ahead. This may lead to headlong collisions with furniture, or falls down a flight of unbarred steps.

Baby walkers have been responsible for many injuries and deaths in children as:

•
 Babies in walkers move faster and reach higher than are appropriate for their age, putting them at risk of injuries
•
 Babies in walkers cannot see where they are going or what they are running over well
•
 Walkers tip over easily
•
 With the `aid `of walkers, toddlers can run into hidden dangers, bump into furniture, pull on hanging appliance cords, topple over, and fall down stairs
 
Strollers
•

Prams/strollers for babies under 6 months should have a lie-back option that reclines at an angle of more than 135 degrees to the seat

•

Choose a stroller with:

• a wide base to prevent it from tipping over
• a shoulder strap as well as crotch and waist straps
• a basket that is lower than or at the bottom of the stroller. a safety bar across the seat which is 10 - 20 cm from the seat to allow the legs to be slipped through
• a cover to shield the baby from the sun
• a non-slip handle which offers a better grip. The height of the handle should be adjustable so that the parent will not strain the back when pushing the stroller
•
 Always secure your child with the straps - shoulder, seat and crotch straps
•
 Always secure the locking device to prevent the stroller from folding
•
 Apply the brakes when the stroller is stationery to prevent it from moving
•
 The weight of the stroller is important. A light stroller will topple over when baby sits forward or pulls onto his side. Foldable strollers are often preferred as they are convenient to store and put into a vehicle
•
 Do not hang shopping bags on the back of the stroller. The bags may tip the stroller over backwards with baby in it
•
 Never leave your child unattended in a stroller
 

Toys For Baby

•

Read the label first. Labels on toys provide safety information and the recommended age of the child that the toy is suitable for. Do not ignore them

•

Assess and reassess the function of the toy. Old and damaged toys should be thrown away unless they can be used to stimulate learning. For example, a broken toy bear can be used to stimulate learning by saying to the child: “Oh dear, the bear has a broken leg. What can we do for him?' It is important to assess the function of a toy regularly to see if the toy is serves its function or if any damage will hurt the child

• Feel the toy for sharp edges, sharp points and movable or removable parts. These may result in cuts, abrasions and injury to the child.
•
 Ensure that toys with strings or cords are never hung in cribs or play pens. Children may be choked or strangled if they get the cords coiled around their necks
•
 Ensure that toys are large enough to prevent the toys from being swallowed by your child
•
 Ensure that toys are stored away after use so as to prevent the risk of tripping.
•
 Test the toys, especially electronic ones. There must be at least one demonstration on how to use the toy safely for both the parent and the child.
 
Useful links:
Car Safety | Child Safety Centre | Real Life Injuries | Hazards
Childhood Injuries | Children's Emergency I Objects In The Ear I Swallowed Objects I Preparing Your Child For Healthcare Experiences