Keeping Your Baby Safe
The best way to relax and enjoy these early months with your baby is to make sure your home is safe and secure.

 Here is a List of Safety Measures: 

• Never leave an infant (even when sleeping) alone on a bed, table or surface where he/she could fall off.
• NEVER place a rear-facing car seat in the front seat or near a passenger side airbag.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children should ride in rear-facing child safety seats as long as possible. They also maintain that children should be a MINIMUM of 12 months old AND weigh at least 20 pounds before they face the front of the vehicle.
• Never leave an infant or small child unattended in a car, not even for a moment.
• Avoid direct sun exposure during the first few months of life.
• Use care while cooking. Hot food or liquid could splash on the baby or a hot pan could touch his/her skin.
• Never have a baby near a burning cigarette. Hot ashes from cigarettes can burn baby's skin and smoke can be harmful to his/her lungs. Avoid smoking in a car when your baby is with you. Doctors recommend that you do not smoke. If family or friends smoke, ask them to go outside.
• Any small object can pose a threat to a baby. This includes edible items like nuts, hot dogs, carrots or candies, as well as buttons, beads or anything that could come loose and be swallowed.
• Be sure to have safe, reliable childcare and emergency back-up arrangements.
• Check the air flow and temperature of baby's room, particularly if it is heated.
• A baby's sleeping area should be free of strings of bedding items and sleepwear.