Infant Safety: Babies may roll over (even in the first weeks or life) long before they are capable of doing this with regularity. Therefore, make sure your baby is never left, even for an instant, on a changing table, sofa or the like. Never place the infant carrier with your baby in it on a counter, table, or chair—baby may topple the seat over, resulting in serious injury.  Make sure you don’t drink hot liquids or cook while you are holding your baby as this may lead to serious burns. The safest place for your baby while you cook is in her highchair or playpen.

Bathing: Make sure you never leave your child (under the age of 6 years) unattended in the bathtub. Children can drown in an inch of water.  Plan ahead and have everything ready before you place your child in the bathtub. When you are finished, pick up your infant securely under the arms with a towel to prevent slipping.

Household: As your child becomes more mobile, you must protect her from the environment she will be investigating. Electrical sockets should be covered, gates should be used on all stairways (both at the top and the bottom) until your child can safely walk up and down the stairs holding the handrail. This is usually about the age of 3-4 years. Safety latches should be added to cabinets with cleaning supplies, dangerous utensils or equipment, or medicines. Look through your child’s environment for things that she can pull down on herself and remove them before she starts climbing, such as floor lamps, top-heavy plant stands, and lamp and appliance cords. You may want to check your furniture to make sure it is stable and will not be pulled over by a climbing child. If so, remove it or bolt it to the wall (especially bookcases). Tie all curtain and shade cords up out of reach in small enough loops that a child’s head won’t fit through them. Be sure all toys are smooth and large enough so that your toddler can’t get them into her mouth. 

Poisons: All toxic materials should be placed out of the reach of your child. Place poisonous indoor plants (philodendron, diffenbachia, Jerusalem berry, mistletoe berries, spathiphyllum, schefflera, and holly, for example) out of reach and watch your child well when she is playing outdoors as many ornamental plants can be dangerous. Call Poison Control (800-222-1222) if you feel that your child has ingested something that they shouldn’t have. Never give Syrup of Ipecac unless instructed to do so by the Poison Control Center as certain substances are better left in the stomach once they get there.

Bicycle: Make sure that your child wears an approved helmet on his head whenever riding a tricycle, bicycle, scooter, skateboard, skates, or when riding in a bike trailer. This will establish good habits early on. The most important factor in establishing the bike helmet habit in kids is for all adults caring for a child to wear a helmet, too!

Guns and weapons: These items should never be in the house.  More accidental deaths occur from handguns owned for personal safety against unwanted intruders, than from actual use against intruders. If you must have a gun or weapon in the home make sure that they are locked up and the ammunition stored separately in a locked container. 

Internet: The use of computers is sometimes necessary for schoolwork.  It can also provide valuable information and entertainment.  However make sure that you supervise your child’s access to the internet.  Place the computer in a general location so that you are aware of when and what your child is doing.

These suggestions are not complete and you may think of other safety tips yourself. By making your child’s environment as safe as possible, you can relax and enjoy them.