Bathing Safety

• Before putting your baby in the water always test the bath water to make sure it is not too hot. Use your elbow to test the water temperature.
• Never leave your baby unattended in the bathtub. A baby can drown in a few seconds.
• Store small appliances, such as hair dryers and radios, away from the water and bathing areas. Keep these appliances unplugged and out of reach.
• To prevent accidental drowning never leave water in a bucket or tub.

Toy Safety

• Inspect your child's toys often. Make sure that the toys are unbreakable, do not come apart, do not have small parts, are not sharp, and are larger than your baby's mouth.
• Use toy chests without lids or with supports that hold a lid open in any position.
• To prevent choking don't give balloons to your baby.

Feeding Safety

• Never prop up your baby's bottle and leave your baby unattended; your baby could choke. Never put your baby to bed with a bottle.
• Avoid giving your child raw carrots, unpeeled apples, nuts, hard candies, and other foods that present a choking hazard.
• In a highchair, always use restraining straps that run around your child's waist and between his legs to keep him from sliding out.

Sleeping Safety

• All infants should sleep on their backs or sides. Babies who sleep on their stomachs have an increased risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
• To help position your baby on his or her back or side for sleeping, you can buy cushions specially made to position your baby. You can also roll up a small blanket or towel and place it behind your baby.

Prevent Accidents

• Keep sharp objects (knives, scissors, razors) and other hazardous items (coins, glass objects, beads, pins, medications) in a secure place out of your baby's reach.
• Never shake a baby or throw your baby in the air. This can cause brain damage or blindness.
• Do not leave your baby alone with a young sibling or a pet, even when your baby is sleeping.
• Make sure all drawers have stops, so that your baby or toddler can't pull the drawer out on top of himself.
• Eliminate tablecloths that can be pulled from the table.