Accidents  |  Car safety  |  Choking  |  Drowning  |  Crib safety  |  Burns  |  Playpens  |  High chair  |  Infant seat  |  Strollers  |  Walkers  |  Changing area  |  Poisoning  |  Secondhand smoke  |  Sleeping positions

Accidents

• Most newborn accidents in the home involve falls. Be sure that your baby is not left alone on high surfaces unless proper barriers are in place to prevent your baby from rolling off. The safest place for a newborn when not being held is on the floor or in a crib with the sides up and no pillows or toys inside. Never leave your baby alone on the table or counter top! Keep a hand on your baby at all times.
• Keep toys, stuffed animals and pillows out of the crib.
• Use gates/barriers to keep your baby away from dangerous areas such as stairs.
• Do not leave your baby alone with pets until they have adjusted to each other

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Car safety

• Car accidents are a leading cause of death in babies and children, as well as a major cause of permanent brain damage, epilepsy and spinal cord injury. Most of these deaths and injuries can be prevented with the proper use of car safety seats. A sudden stop at 30 miles an hour can have the same crushing force on your child’s brain and body as a fall from a three story building. California State law (V.C. 27360) requires all children under age six or weighing less than sixty pounds to be placed in a federally approved child restraint system when riding in the car. Everyone in the car should be properly buckled up every time. The police or Highway patrol may issue tickets if you are not buckled up. Never hold your baby in your lap while riding in a car, even for a short ride.
• According to California law, children must ride in the back seat until they are at least 6 years old or weigh 60 pounds, with some exceptions.
• Read all car seat instructions, and check the owner’s manual of your car before installing the car seat into the car.
• Always use the correct car seat for the age, weight and height of your child. A car seat with a 3 or 5 point harness is recommended by safety experts. (5 point harness is safest.) Do not use infant carriers, travel beds, backpacks carriers, etc. in place of a car seat.
• It is always safer to purchase a new car seat for your child. If you use a second hand car seat, make sure you have the instructions for the seat, that the car seat has not been recalled, and verify that it has never been involved in an accident. Do not use a seat older than 6-10 years.
• Car seats that have been involved in a crash should not be used. Even if there is no visible damage, the plastic shell may be weakened. Insurance companies in California are required to replace car seats that were involved in a crash if the child was in the seat at the time of the collision and the insurance company is paying for damages.
• Infants less than one year and less than 20 pounds must be placed in a rear facing car seat. Most infant carrier style car seats can only be used until 20 pounds. After that, use a convertible car seat still rear facing. Make sure that the car seat is rated to at least 30 pounds rear facing.
• The rear facing car seat should be in a semi-reclining position at a 45 degree angle.
• Never place an infant in the front seat with a passenger side airbag. The back seat is always the safest place for your infant or child. In fact, children 12 years old and younger are safest in the backseat.
• Check to make sure that the car seat is installed tightly into the car. It should not move more than one inch side to side. Check the owner’s manual of the car to find out how the seat belts lock or whether you need to use a locking clip. A new system called LATCH may help with installation problems but only if both the car seat and the car have this new system.
• On warm or hot days, check the metal parts of the car seat to make sure they are not too hot. You may wish to cover a car seat that is left in the car with a towel when not in use.
• Do not wrap baby in blankets or heavy clothing before placing in the car seat. Do not place extra padding under the baby. Secure infant snugly with harness straps and then cover with a blanket if desired.
• Harness straps should be snug with room for only one finger at the collar bone. After adjusting the harness, check to make sure it is secure.
• The baby’s buttocks and back should be flat against the back of the seat.
• Harness straps should come out of the slots that are at or below the level of the baby’s shoulders when facing rear.
• The harness retainer clip should be secured at the level of the armpits.
• If you have trouble installing you car seat or have questions, contact a Certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Technician, attend a car seat safety course, or visit a car seat check-up in your area. The California Highway patrol has CPS technicians that can help you correctly install a car seat. Often police departments, public health departments and hospitals have these technicians available to help you. Take the time to make sure that your child is correctly restrained. It may be the difference between life and death in a crash. You may also get more information by visiting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) online at www.nhtsa.dot.gov or by calling 1-888-327-4236.
• Contact your child’s health care provider for information on the low cost car seat programs serving your area.
• Never leave a child alone in a vehicle, not even for a minute. There are many things that could happen to your child, such as heat stroke or being taken during a car theft or kidnapping. California law (V.C. 15620) states: A child 6 years old or less may not be left alone in a vehicle if the health or safety of the child is at risk, the engine is running, or the keys are in the ignition (unless supervised by someone at least age 12).

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Choking

• Be sure to keep all small items that could cause your baby to choke out of your baby’s reach. Be especially careful with small toys that belong to older siblings.
• Never feed your baby hard pieces of food, as they may cause choking.
• Avoid toys with cords. Never put your baby’s pacifier on a cord.
• Do not use a homemade pacifier. One piece, commercially made pacifiers are recommended.
• Keep cradle gyms high out of your baby’s reach.
• Keep balloon strings and curtain cords out of reach of young children. Latex rubber balloons are not recommended for children under five years of age. Mylar balloons are safer for younger children.

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Drowning

Drowning is the second most common cause of accidental death among children. Children under age four are especially at risk, as it takes only 1 inch of water and a few moments for a child to drown.

• Children can drown in a bathtub, toilet bowl or pail of water.
• When bathing your baby, plan ahead to avoid interruptions.
• Never leave a young child unattended in the tub. If you must leave, take your child with you.
• Never leave a young child alone outdoors, especially if there is a pool, spa, pond or even a bucket of water.

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Crib safety

• Place your baby on his/her back when sleeping. Do not place your baby face down or on his/her side. Inform your baby’s caretakers about the same information.
• Place your baby on a firm, tight-fitting mattress in a crib that meets current safety standards.
• If you are using an older model crib, be aware that it may have wider spaces between the slats and be unsafe. Be sure the crib slats are no more than 2-3/8 inches apart to prevent your baby’s head from getting caught. Older cribs often have unsafe corner post extensions, decorative knobs or cut-outs that are dangerous.
• Be sure the mattress fits snugly against the sides and edges of the crib.
• Check to see there are no sharp edges or cracked, chipped paint.
• Do not use paint containing lead for baby furniture. (See section on lead poisoning.)
• Do not use bumper pads, pillows, large floppy toys or stuffed animals that could smother your baby.
• To prevent suffocation, never put your baby to sleep on a soft surface (e.g., pillow, couch cushion, bean bag chair or water bed.)
• Never use plastic bags from the cleaners on a crib mattress.
• Keep the mattress in the lowest position and the side rails up and locked when your baby is in the crib.
• When the rail is in the low position, keep one hand on your baby at all times.
• Do not string toys across crib opening.

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Burns

To avoid burns:

• Do not smoke or drink hot liquids (such as coffee) near to or while carrying your baby.
• Install smoke alarms in your home.
• Turn your hot water heater down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent accidental burns while bathing.
• Use flame-retardant sleepwear for your baby.
• Protect your baby from direct sun, and keep your baby indoors during the hottest part of the day. Cover your baby’s body with a light blanket and/or long sleeves and pants. After your baby is 6 months old use a sunscreen made for babies when taking your baby on outings. Always have your baby wear a hat as well.
• Keep electrical cords out of baby’s reach.
• Use safety caps on electrical sockets.
• When cooking, turn pot handles away from the front of the stove.

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Playpens

• A wooden playpen should have slats no more than 2-3/8 inches apart.
• Buttons on your baby's clothing should be larger than the netting holes on mesh playpens to prevent a button being caught and possibly choking your baby.
• Check to see that the playpen is sturdy and has no sharp edges, especially on the hinges.
• Keep the sides up when your baby is in the playpen.
• Provide close supervision.

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High chair

• Always secure the safety strap. Be sure there is a strap between your baby’s legs, as well as a waist strap to prevent your baby from slipping out.
• Check for sharp edges and rough surfaces.
• Keep high chair away from stoves, electrical cords and other areas where your baby could be hurt.

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Infant seat

• Check to see that the seat is sturdy and has no sharp edges.
• Use the safety strap each time.
• These seats are not intended to be used in place of an approved infant car seat.
• Do not leave your baby alone in an infant seat.

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Strollers

• Check for stability and sharp or rough edges.
• If you use a folding stroller, be sure all parts are firmly locked into position before placing your baby in it.

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Walkers

• Walkers have a very high rate of accidental injury and should not be used.
• Studies have also shown that walkers hinder proper muscular development for standing and walking.

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Changing area

• Never leave your baby alone on a counter or changing table. Keep one hand on baby at all times.
• Keep sharp objects, such as diaper pins and nail scissors, out of your baby's reach.
• Keep rubbing alcohol, powders, lotions and creams out of your baby’s reach.
• Powder, perfume or talcum is not recommended for use around babies.

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Poisoning

• Put the Poison Control Center telephone number next to all telephones in your house. The national hotline number is 1-800-222-1222.
• Place household chemicals in higher cabinets out of your baby’s reach.
• Use child resistant caps on any medicines. Never tell children their medicine is “candy.”
• Keep indoor plants out of reach, as many are poisonous if eaten.

Lead poisoning
Children between the ages of six months to six years are at a high risk of lead poisoning. Lead poisoning is an illness caused by swallowing or breathing lead. Children in this age group will put their hands and other things in their mouths. Their bodies absorb lead more easily than adults, and lead can do more damage to children since their brain, organs and bones are still developing.

Lead is found in:

• Paint
• Soil
• Glaze
• Folk medicines (greta, azarcon, alarcon, Maria Luisa, paylooah)
• Some cosmetics
• Vinyl mini-blinds made in Asia and Mexico
• The workplace (i.e. machine and auto repair shops)
• Imported foods in lead-soldered cans
• Water coming through bronze or copper pipes

Lead-based paint is the most common source of lead poisoning in children. Painted surfaces crumble into household dust, which clings to objects children may put into their mouths. This is the most common way the lead gets into a child. Some young children may eat paint that is peeling or chipping. Houses built before 1950 are very likely to contain lead paint. House paint made since 1978 has very low levels of lead.


A blood test is the only way to know if a child has lead poisoning. Discuss the need for a blood lead test for your children with their health care provider. Contact your local public health department for more information about lead poisoning and what you can do to prevent it.

Additional information on Lead Poisoning may be found in our Health Information section.
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Secondhand smoke

Secondhand smoke is the smoke that comes from the end of a burning cigarette and the smoke breathed out by the smoker. Secondhand smoke can make a healthy infant sick. It may cause ear infections, colds, coughs, wheezing, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

For your and your baby’s health, quit smoking. If you need help, call: English 1-800- NOBUTTS (800-662-8887).; Spanish: 1-800-456-6386; Chinese: 1-800-838-8917; TDD line: 1-800-933-4833. If you are unable to quit, follow these guidelines:

• Keep your home smoke free. Smoke only outside.
• Do not smoke or let others smoke around your baby.
• Never smoke in the room where your baby sleeps.
• Never smoke while you are dressing, washing, or playing with your baby.
• Never smoke in the car. The small area of the car greatly increases the exposure of smoke to all passengers, even with the windows open.

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Sleeping positions

New research shows that the safest position for sleeping babies is lying on their backs. Always place your baby on his/her back. Be careful of pets, such as cats, which may wander into the crib. Consider using a safety net over the crib.

To develop; muscular strength for crawling and walking, your baby should spend a certain amount of “tummy time” while awake. If you have questions about your baby’s sleep position or health, please talk with your baby’s health care provider.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
SIDS is the sudden death of an infant under one year of age, which remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation. Although physicians and scientists do not know what causes SIDS, they have determined that there are some things parents can do to reduce the risk of SIDS:

• Put your baby to sleep on his/her back.
• Breastfeed your baby.
• Maintain a smoke-free house and car.
• Use a firm mattress for baby's crib.
• Use tight fitting crib sheets.
• Do not use fluffy blankets, sheepskin or waterbeds.
• Do not place pillows or stuffed toys in the crib.

Once you have done what you can to reduce your baby’s risk of SIDS, do not let the fear of SIDS spoil your joy and delight of having a new baby. For more information about SIDS, contact the SIDS Alliance at 1-800-221-SIDS (7437) or www.sidsalliance.org.

Read more about SIDS

For more information about the importance of placing your baby on his/her back to sleep, call
“Back to Sleep” at 1-800-505-CRIB (2742) or visit www.nichd.nih.gov/sids/
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