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Infant Safety
Babies move in the first few months of life, but their movements happen because of reflexes. First, babies learn to control their heads and necks. By three to four months your baby can lift up their head. By four to twelve months, babies learn to roll over, bring their feet to their mouth, later to sit up, creep, crawl, climb and stand up.
Falls
The most common cause of injury and death among babies is falling. To prevent injury from falls, install gates at both the top and bottom of stairs, gates at the top of the stairs need to be the permanent ones, not a pressure gate. Place all items you need for changing baby at the change table so there is no chance of you leaving baby alone. NEVER leave a sleeping baby on a couch unsupervised.
Car Seats
Your baby needs a car seat every time you ride in the car. Always use a car seat in a rear facing position in the back seat of your car. ALWAYS READ YOUR MANUFACTURERS INSTRUCTIONS. Some models may have different weight and height limits. The car seat for children under 1 year of age must be in a rear-facing position until your child can pull themselves to a stand, and is 1 year of age. If your child outgrows the infant-only seat, they would progress to a convertible seat but will still remain in a rear facing position.
Burns and Scalds
Your baby’s skin is sensitive, and burns easily, often in less than 5 seconds. Spilled hot drinks such as coffee & tea are a leading cause of ER visits. Scalds from tap water at 60C or 140F or higher are common and very serious, lower your water temperature to 49C or 120F to prevent scalds, you will still have enough hot water for your home. Fireplaces heat up very quickly in 6 seconds; a gas fireplace can heat up to over 200C, put protective barriers between your fireplace and your baby.
Dogs
Keep babies away from other people’s dogs – no exceptions. Grandparents dogs frequently bite grandchildren as they are not used to having babies around SUPERVISE at all times. Evaluate the dog situation at homes when your child is being babysat.