Baby Safety

Babies are the most precious and most vulnerable of all children. They are so young and not yet developed enough to fend for themselves. Extra caution and safety measures should be put in place for them.

Here are some helpful resources:

For help right away, here are some helpful numbers:

Emergency: 911
Poison Center: 800-222-1222
Crisis Nursery: 314-768-3201

Safe to Sleep

SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome where a baby unexpectedly dies in their sleep. In many cases, this is preventable by simply giving a baby a safe sleep environment including putting baby on their back and putting them in their own bed every time.

Baby Safety Checklist

  • Read and follow toy package safety guidelines.
  • Younger children can easily choke on small parts from toys made for older children.
  • Distance between the slats is no greater than 2 5/8” apart
  • Side rails cannot go down

Learn more about safe infant sleep practices from cribsforkids.org.

  • Babies always sleep alone, in their own separate sleep space, but in the caregiver’s room for the first 6 months of life
  • Place baby on their back to sleep for every sleep
  • Keep the crib free of toys, pillows or blankets
  • Avoid overheating, no hats for inside sleeping, only layer of clothing more than the caregiver is wearing will be adequate
  • Avoid smoking, vaping, and impairment during pregnancy and while caring for baby
  • Attend all medical appointments and keep up with baby’s vaccinations
  • Even small amounts of carbon monoxide can cause life-threatening illness or death in young children.
  • Buy child-resistant packaging.
  • Keep poisonous substances and plants out of sight and reach of children.
  • Secure appropriate cabinet doors and drawers with cabinet locks.
  • Children can drown in 1 inch of water in a bathtub, bucket, toilet bowl or other containers.
  • Home pools should be surrounded by a four-sided, 5-foot fence with a self-closing latch gate.
  • Place emergency numbers next to each telephone.
  • Program emergency numbers into each cell phone.
  • Be sure to have a first aid kit.
  • Call the Red Cross, local hospital or fire department for CPR classes in your area.
  • Never leave a baby unattended on furniture.
  • Always keep one hand on baby when changing diapers.
  • Use safety gates at the tops and bottoms of stairs.
  • Set your water heater at 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
  • Always check bath water for “hot spots.”
  • Consider anti-scald devices for faucets or shower heads.
  • Consider installing safety guards on second floor and higher windows.
  • Window screens are not safety guards.
  • Never place a crib near a window.
  • Use safety tassels or cord wind-ups with curtains or blinds to prevent strangulation.
  • Place infants in rear-facing seats until they are 2 years old, up to 35-50 pounds.
  • Use a forward-facing car seat (convertible or combination seat) until the child reaches the weight or height limit of the harness..
  • Children should be in a booster seat until they are 4 feet, 9 inches tall.
  • Check smoke alarms once a month to ensure proper operation.
  • Plan and practice home escape routes.

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