Baby Safety Month: 6 Simple Tips to Help You Keep Your Baby Safe
It’s September, which I recently found out is Baby Safety Month in America! I can’t see why we shouldn’t embrace Baby Safety Month here in the UK, to help raise awareness and offer tips and education for new parents or anyone caring for a baby.
Baby Safety Month is promoted by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA ), a non-profit organisation in the USA that serves as a top resource for product safety standards, educates customers on the safe use of baby products and much more.
When you’ve had a baby (especially if it’s your first), you may have hundreds of questions and worries, yet it can be hard to get the information you need. This could be because you’re embarrassed to ask the question, worried about feeling inadequate or already overwhelmed with the huge responsibilities of caring for a child.
So, this September, here are 6 tips to help you keep your baby safe, and remember, never be afraid to ask a question if in doubt!
Child safety locks
When a child starts crawling and walking, they will be happy to grab, taste and play with almost anything that can get their hands on. Little hands can easily get into cupboards, pull off caps and coverings, squeeze bottles and bring all kinds of things towards their mouths to taste.
Fitting child safety locks to all of the cupboards that house your cleaning products (usually this will be the cupboard under the sink) will prevent your little ones from coming into contact with potentially harmful chemicals.
Secure fixtures and fittings
When children are learning to walk or crawl, it’s natural for them to reach out and hold onto things to help pull themselves up or stop themselves from falling. The chances are at some point your toddler will attempt to use the furniture in your home to steady or pull themselves up with.
Securing any items of furniture like shelves or drawers to the wall will prevent anything from falling on your child if they grab it. Also, moving heavy or breakable ornaments out of the way will mean no one will get hurt and nothing will get smashed!
Sleeping soundly
One of the best ways to get a baby to sleep is to use a swaddle. It’s also one of the safest and can help to lower the risk of SIDS. To find out more, click here to read all about the benefits of swaddling, here.
Choosing the right teether
This is always important, but it’s especially important when a child is crawling or toddling. Flexible teethers that don’t reach the back of the throat will ensure that if your child falls when they are chewing their teether, it won’t cause serious injury or damage.
Look for teethers that have passed all of the latest CE certifications. Pay attention to the material they are made of (is it safe to put in your mouth?) and look out for any holes which could cause a build-up of mould and bacteria inside the toy.
Our Matchstick Monkey teethers are made from BPA free, FDA and CE certified food grade silicone. They have no holes and are flexible and easy for toddlers and babies just a few months old to hold, whether crawling or walking around or just sitting in a crib or pushchair.
Car safety
A baby or child should never be left in a car on their own, no matter what the temperature is outside, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Even in mild weather the temperature inside a car can raise quickly, or if it’s cold, drop quickly too. A baby can’t regulate their own temperature and so is especially vulnerable to overheating or hypothermia. The safest thing to do is always bring your baby with you if you leave your vehicle.
Cutting up food
When your little one starts eating solid food, take care that it’s not something that could get lodged in their throat and pose a choking hazard. Foods like whole grapes, chunks of cheese, raw vegetables and meat need cutting up into smaller pieces no more than one half inch across. For more guidance on choking hazards for children, click here to read this helpful article.
What were the questions you were afraid to ask about parenthood and keeping your baby safe? Share your story with us, or any tips you’ve gathered along the journey via Instagram or Twitter @matchstick_monkey.
