Stay with Your Baby in the Bath
A baby can drown quickly and quietly in only a few inches of water! Stay with your baby the entire time he or she is in the tub. Do not leave the room, for even a second, to answer the door or phone. Even if your baby sits up well or uses a bath seat, do not leave him or her alone or with an older child.
Prevent Falls
A fall may cause cuts, broken teeth and bones, or a head injury. The best way to keep your baby safe is to stay close. Here are some other ways to help prevent falls:
• Move chairs that might tip over so your baby can't climb on them.
• Move furniture away from windows. Don’t put your baby's crib near a window.
• Remember that window screens won’t stop your baby from falling out of a window. Install window stops or guards that can be removed by an adult in an emergency.
• Check the side rails of your baby's crib. If they’re not high enough, lower the mattress.
• Keep gates closed at the top and bottom of stairs. Make sure the gate stays in place when you push on it.
Keep Your Baby's Car Seat Rear Facing
Your baby should ride in a rear-facing car seat until at least two years of age or until he or she is too heavy or too tall based on the manufacturer’s instructions. Use a rear-facing seat as long as possible. It gives your baby the best protection because it cradles his or her body better than a forward-facing seat. This helps spread the force caused by a crash more evenly across your baby's entire body and reduces the risk of a neck injury. Visit www.healthychildren.org for more information.
Dangers of Air Bags to Babies and Children
Air bags can seriously injure or kill a baby or child in the front seat, even in a minor crash. Some vehicles, such as pick-up trucks and sports cars, have air bags but no backseat. These vehicles often have an air bag on/off switch. Unfortunately, even if the air bag is turned off it may still open in a crash. Always check with your vehicle’s manufacturer before you put a car seat in the front seat of any vehicle. Washington State law requires all children to ride in the backseat until age 13, when possible. If you have additional questions about airbags, visit www.safercar.gov for more information.