Protecting infants from suffocation

Following these guidelines will help protect your child  from suffocation .

• do not place infants face-down on a soft surface such as water-bed, comforter or mattress
• do not put infants in a crib or bed with soft beddings, blankets, pillows and stuffed animals
• do not  put infants on a mattress covered with plastic or near a plastic bag
• do not  put infants  to sleep in a couch, an adult or other soft surfaces
• infants and other children should not share a bed
• keep all plastic bags out of reach of infants
• it is essential that your baby’s crib is the right size and fits snugly . This will reduce the risk of the baby getting caught between the crib and the sheets
• keep balloons including uninflated  balloons out of reach of infants
• promptly dispose of plastic shopping bags and plastic dry-cleaning bags. Tie several knots in each bag before throwing it out.
• clean up after a birthday or holiday party paying attention to plastic bags

You have to be prepared

If you are expecting a baby or have a child, it is very important to :

• learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the Heimlich maneuver.
• have the following numbers handy
  • doctor’s number
  • toll-free poison-control number: 1-800-222-1222
  • parents work and cell phone number
  • the phone number’s of neighbors or nearby relatives
• install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• have a first aid kit with emergency instructions in it

Maintaining an environment that is safe and kids friendly

To make sure your home is safe and childproof, get on your hands and knees in every room of your home to see things  from your child’s perspective. This will help you be aware of your child’s surroundings and what could be potentially dangerous.

It can be difficult to childproof your whole house. If you can’t childproof  the entire house, you need to shut the doors to room which are not child friendly. You should also known that supervising your child is the best way to prevent injuries. Even if you are  the most vigilant parent, you cannot keep  your child 100%  safe are all the time.