THE world is a very dangerous place, but for your baby, there is no more dangerous place than your home.
Without being unnecessarily gloomy, the number of children injured every day around the world runs into many thousands, and some die or are disabled. In every country, most accidents take place in the home, and it is fair to say that many could have been prevented with the proper precautions and with parents having been sensible and alert.
Babies are at risk from the earliest age, from possible asphyxiation if their sleeping place is not set up properly, or drowning if bath time is not managed properly. From the time they become mobile, and inquisitive with it, the risks increase to include falling, poisons, burns, and electrocution.
First, bath time. Always stay within arm's length of baby at all times. Do not take your eyes off baby.
A bath seat will give your child added support while in the bathtub, but it will not protect the child from injury or drowning. If you want to use a bath seat or bath ring, remember that bath seats and bath rings should only be used with children who are capable of sitting upright unassisted.
Collect all bathing materials (soap, shampoo, cloth, comb) before bringing the baby into the bathroom.
Place bathing materials within hands' reach of where you will be bathing baby. Be sure the bottom of the tub is clean and free of any soap residue.
If the bath seat or bath ring has suction cups, make sure they adhere to the bottom of the tub. Pull up on the bath seat/bath ring to test.
Never use a bath seat on textured or non-skid surfaces unless the manufacturer's instructions specifically state the seat is intended for such surfaces.
Place the bath seat in the tub so that baby cannot reach the taps.
Never lift the bath seat or ring with your baby in it as he or she could fall out.
After bathing, lift your child out of the seat or ring before removing it from the tub.
If bath seat/bath ring moves or tips while baby is in it, discontinue use.
When baby gets mobile, check how hazardous your home is by getting down on your hands and knees and looking around your home from your baby's perspective. This will help you spot potentially dangerous objects. For example, an ordinary houseplant can be poisonous if your curious baby decides to taste a piece.
Always read and follow all manufacturers' instructions. Remember, new products that meet current safety standards are a safer option - and these will always include manufacturers' instructions. Experts also recommend that you don't use second-hand products for baby in the home. However, if it is necessary for you to use these older products, be sure they meet the current safety standards.
Every room is hazardous. When cooking, make sure that handles of pots and pans do not stick out in a way that a little hand could reach up and tip hot fluid or food over the child. Keep children away from reaching up and possibly touching hot plate or the oven door. At all times, make sure that knives and other dangerous utensils are out of their reach. Check that your kettle is out of reach - the shock of scalding water in itself can kill a child.
Irons, of course, should be handled so that a child cannot tug the cord and bring the heavy, hot iron down on itself, and of course, it is worth your while to keep all other electrical appliances, such as blow dryers, switched off and unplugged if not immediately in use. If you have a fireplace, get a proper fireguard to put in front of it - those of you with children already crawling will know how fast they can move. With radiators, teach them quickly not to touch them.
We all know about some obvious dangers, such as medicines, but remember it is seemingly innocuous things that also can kill or harm - plastic wrap, plastic dry cleaning bags, shopping and garbage bags should be kept away from baby to avoid suffocation.
Baby should never be allowed to lie or sleep face down on (or next to) pillows or cushions. Always pull curtain or blind cords and decorative wall hangings with strings out of baby's reach to avoid an entanglement or strangulation hazard.
Water generally is hazardous for young children. In fact, as much fun as water can be, it's dangerous no matter where you find it - in a bucket, bowl, toilet, tub, sink, puddle, pool, or elsewhere. Parents can avoid tragedy by taking this old adage to heart: A baby or toddler can drown in less than an inch of water.
The best way to protect your child from accidental drowning is to remove even the smallest source of water from his play area, and if water is present, don't take your eyes off him for a minute. If you're at a pool or beach, it's fine to let him splash and play to his heart's content - as long as you're watching every moment.
First-time parents need to use a different eye for detail when buying baby furniture. Instead of colour, style and comfort, safety is the vital requirement. According to Australian statistics, about one in five injuries to children less than 12 months of age involves baby furniture. Remember, even if your baby furniture meets every safety standard and suggestion, your child still needs constant supervision.
About one in five accidents involving baby furniture occurs in the cot. Injuries include falls, and getting parts of the body stuck between bars. Ensure that the bars are spaced between 50 and 85mm apart.
When setting up the cot, don't put it close to heaters, windows or power points, don't hang anything nearby where there is a danger of the item falling into the cot, and keep the cot uncluttered.