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Sleeping [ Top]
Sleep Position for Infants
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that healthy babies be placed on
their back for sleeping in order to reduce the incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
(SIDS). However, the Academy states that certain babies should still be placed on
their stomach (prone) for sleep: For premature infants with respiratory distress,
for infants with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (spitting up), or with certain
upper airway anomalies, and perhaps for some other reasons, prone may well be the
position of choice. Always ask my doctor which position is best for me when sleeping.
Remember that I should spend some time playing on my stomach during awake times (unless
instructed otherwise by my doctor).
Sleeping in a Crib
When I am small and sleep in a crib, make sure that all toys in my crib are safe.
Toys should not have buttons or other small pieces that I might choke on, sharp edges
that I might get cut on, long ribbons or strings that I might get caught in. Remove
large stuffed animals or toys that I might use to climb out of the crib. Remember
to use a night light so I can see clearly in the room. (This is essential for children
with hearing impairments.)
Sleeping in a Bed
When I am older and sleep in a bed, the entire room must by safety-proofed. Make
sure that all toys in my room are safe. Put dangerous toys and items out of reach
or in another room. Put safety covers on all electrical outlets. Use bed rails, if
needed, to keep me from falling out of bed. Remember to continue to use a night light.
Choking/Food Safety [ Top]
I am at highest risk for choking on food from birth until three years of age and
I remain at high risk until I am about four years of age. Choking can occur anywhere
and anytime there is food. Avoid offering foods that can cause choking, or modify
them to make them safer. Always supervise me when I eat and encourage me to
sit in an upright position and to eat slowly. And always stay with me during mealtime
and snacks. Left unsupervised, I could choke, fall out of my chair, or hurt myself
by putting a spoon handle down my throat or up my nose. If I have a milk intolerance
or dairy allergies, be sure to talk with my doctor about the best substitutes.
Some foods are easier than others to choke on. A food's potential to cause choking
is often related to its size, shape, and/or consistency.
Size
Some small pieces of food can cause choking by getting into my airway when I try
to swallow food before properly chewing it. Avoid offering me nuts and seeds unless
you finely grind them. Remove all pits and seeds from fruits that you offer me. Also,
take out all bones from fish, chicken, and meat. Large pieces of food may be harder
to chew and are more likely to block the airway if inhaled. Remember to cut my food
into bite-size pieces or thin slices that I can safely and easily chew.
Shape
Round foods can cause choking, because they are more likely to block my airway
completely than other shapes. Cut round foods, such as hot-dogs and carrots, into
short strips rather than round pieces. Cut grapes into quarters. Don't offer me popcorn
and round candies such as gumdrops or sourballs.
Consistency
Foods that are sticky or tough may be hard to remove from my airway. Don't serve
me peanut butter until I am one year old, and then spread it very thinly. Cook tough
foods, such as meats and vegetables, until they are soft enough to pierce with a
fork. Avoid offering me raisins or other dried fruit and candy such as caramel. Foods
that are firm, smooth, or slick may slip down my throat and cause choking. Don't
offer me large pieces of fruit with skin or raw peas. Consistency is another reason
for avoiding grapes, peanuts, hard candy, and products like hot-dogs, unless you
follow the precautions mentioned above.
I may be choking if I cough, make high-pitched noises, cannot speak or cry, and/or
have trouble breathing. If you think I am choking, call the rescue squad (911) right
away. Knowing what to do when I choke could save my life. Contact your local chapter
of the American Heart Association, American Lung Association, or American Red Cross
for pamphlets and classes on preventing and treating choking. The American Red Cross
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) course for infants and children includes a lesson
on the emergency techniques for choking.
Around the House [ Top]
Learning to stay away from Dangers
Although I may understand the danger associated with many things, my natural curiosity
and lack of impulse control require constant adult supervision. The exception is
when I am playing in an area that is safety-proofed. To teach me to stay away from
dangers, explain the consequences of common dangers and how to avoid them. Make these
explanations whenever potentially dangerous situations occur during daily activities.
If I go near a dangerous object or situation, ask me to move away or physically move
me from the danger. Firmly explain why you do not allow such behavior. If you think
I already know, ask me why I behaved as I did, and then elaborate on my answer as
needed.
After one warning, tell me that if I do the behavior again, there will be a consequence.
When choosing your consequence, be sure it is something you are willing to do. If
you are looking forward to going to the beach and I run into the street while you
are loading the car, do not say that I will not go to the beach if I run into the
street again. Try to pair the consequence with the behavior. For example, if I touch
a hot stove, I can't help you cook. After two warnings, if I continue to go to a
dangerous situation and if you cannot remove me from the temptation (running into
the street, for example), give me a significant consequence. For example, if I run
off toward the street after you have given me two warnings, bring me into the house
for one hour. Tell me firmly why you are bringing me inside and why running into
the street is dangerous and is not allowed. Do not give in!
Toys
When you choose a toy for me, the main issue is that it must be safe. Read all
labels and instructions carefully. Remove all wrappings, pins, and staples. Check
for small parts. I can't anticipate consequences and may swallow a piece if it is
too small. If a toy has small parts, remove the parts that are small, and use the
toy only when I am supervised by an adult, or put the toy away until I am older and
it is safe for me to use. Routinely check my toys for broken pieces which can be
dangerous. Blocks should be at least one-inch (1.25" on a side).
Play
In addition to general toy safety issues, you need to consider my safety when
we play. When we build with large blocks, watch me carefully--the blocks can hurt
my small fingers and toes when they come crashing down. Put toys and craft items
that require adult supervision on high shelves. Always provide close supervision
when we work on craft projects using paints, scissors, and glue. When we paint we
should always use non-toxic, washable paints.
Routinely check all indoor and outdoor equipment and toys to make sure they are in
safe condition. Check for potential dangers, such as rough splinters, sharp edges,
loose nuts and bolts, and protruding nails. Make sure the ground or floor under jungle
gyms is soft. A thick mat or carpeting is safer for indoor play than hardwood floors,
linoleum, or tile. Wood chips, sand, and grass are much safer to land on when playing
outdoors than cement or gravel. You should always "spot" me when I play
on slides, swings, and jungle gyms in case I fall. Remind me always to hold onto
the swing. Teach me important playground safety rules, such as "Sit on the swing,
don't stand" and "Use the ladder, don't climb the slide." I may require
very close supervision at the playground--I may not see danger and may go beyond
my capabilities. Encourage me to use protective equipment such as helmets and knee
pads as needed.
If I have a baby brother or sister to play with, teach me safety rules: wash hands
before playing with the baby, always ask before giving the baby a toy, never put
anything on the baby's face, never give the baby food, and always be gentle with
the baby. Tell me that I can only hold the baby when an adult is there to help me.
Bathtime
Always test the water with your forearm before you allow me to get into the water,
and teach me to do the same. I cannot tolerate the hot temperatures adults enjoy.
Always have a nonskid surface on the bottom of the tub and NEVER leave me
alone in the tub. It takes only seconds and a very small amount of water for a child
to slip and get hurt or drown. If you forget something or if the phone rings, take
me out of the tub and bring me with you. Remember that although bubble baths are
fun, they may lead to urinary tract infections. Keep them to a minimum and make sure
that I rinse off thoroughly after a bubble bath.
Guiding Behaviors
When you ignore my temper tantrum or misbehavior in public, you must stay with
me. Never leave me to continue an activity such as shopping. When using time-out,
always make sure that I am in a safe place.
Here is a partial list of safety concerns. Always put my safety first!
1. Things to lock up or move to high, out of sight, inaccessible places: insect
killers, cleaning materials, shampoos, medicines, alcohol, aspirin, lighter fluid,
cigarettes, matches, lighters, plastic bags.
2. Pad sharp corners of furnishings which I may pull up to or bump into.
3. Keep electrical cords to small appliances out of my reach; adjust lamp cords so
that the cord is not easily accessible; hide or tape them to the wall. Repair any
frayed cords. Keep appliances flush against the wall.
4. Cap all electrical outlets not in use.
5. Add stickers or decals or a masking tape X to sliding glass doors, set low at
my eye level.
6. Keep pot handles turned inwards on the stove. You may want to use a plastic guard
to prevent me from reaching the stove knobs or remove the stove knobs when not in
use.
7. Remove breakable and valuable objects from your child's reaching and climbing
range.
8. Place good books on high shelves or jam them in tight. Keep old magazines or children's
books on accessible bookshelves.
9. Place and use protective gates at all stairways. They will be useless unless all
family members latch them securely, always.
10. Keep off limit rooms latched. Tie a warning bell onto closed doors.
11. Tie cabinet doors securely shut (strings or rubber bands), or use special child-proof
locks.
12. Remove poisonous plants; check before purchasing plants to make sure they are
safe.
13. Remove or replace slippery throw rugs with non-skid rugs.
14. Caution all family members to keep the toilet lid closed or bathroom door shut;
never leave any water in the bathtub, and never leave water-filled buckets out where
I may be.
15. Keep me from wet slippery floors and freshly shampooed carpets until completely
dry.
16. Store or repair unsturdy or splintered furniture.
17. Examine play, sleep and living areas daily for sharp, dangerous, or tiny objects;
remove pencils, scissors, knives, razors, popsicle sticks, pins, forks, nuts, popcorn,
small hard objects, etc.
18. Tie cord blinds so that they are high and out of my reach.
19. Lower the thermostat on the water heater to ensure that I can not burn myself.
20. Take caution when leaving windows open, especially those above the first floor.
If I push hard enough, I can fall through the screen.
21. Once I can open and close doors, using the knob, ensure that there is a deadbolt
or chain on the front door. This will stop me from going outside to play without
telling you.
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