Health & Baby

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To help you keep track of important safety features, see the topic Nursery Equipment Safety Checklist.

For more information about equipment standards from the CPSC, see the Other Places to Get Help section of this topic.

Safe sleeping and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Sudden infant death syndrome is one of the most common causes of death for babies 1 month to 12 months old. Most babies who die of SIDS are 2 to 4 months old. Although SIDS cannot be predicted or completely prevented, placing your baby to sleep on his or her back can help prevent this tragedy. For more information, see the topic Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Preventing falls

You can prevent many falling accidents by using common sense and appropriate equipment that meets all safety standards. Recognize new hazards that your baby will encounter as he or she learns to scoot, crawl, and walk.

• As soon as your baby can walk, lock doors to all dangerous areas.
• Use sliding gates at both ends of stairs. Look for a gate with openings no bigger than 2 3/8 inches (60 mm). Do not use accordion-style gates, because a child's head could get caught.
• Install window guards. Or use a window stop so that sliding windows won't open more than 4 in. (10 cm).
• Don't allow children to climb on high furniture.
• Do not use baby walkers.
• Be careful when using equipment such as high chairs and changing tables. Always use the safety straps, and keep a close eye on your child.

Choking

Help prevent your child from choking by offering the right kinds of foods and keeping an eye out for choking hazards.

• Learn to recognize the signs of choking so you can react quickly. For example, a child who is choking can't talk, cry, breathe, or cough. For more information, see the topic Choking Rescue Procedure (Heimlich Maneuver).
• Know how to select and prepare foods. For example, choose soft foods that can be cut up into small pieces, such as cooked carrots. Avoid round, firm foods such as hot dogs, grapes, nuts, and raisins.
• Establish certain areas for eating, such as the kitchen table or dining room. Teach your child to sit down while he or she is eating and to chew carefully. Don't force a child to eat when he or she is not hungry. These practices will also help your child to build lifelong healthy eating habits.
• Keep small objects out of your child's reach. In general, objects smaller than 1.25 in. (3.18 cm) in diameter and 2.25 in. (5.72 cm) long are choking hazards. Examples include coins, buttons, and bottle caps.
• Do not allow your child to eat while he or she is walking, running, playing, or riding in a car.
• Never leave rubber bands or deflated balloons around the house where children can reach them.
• Do not allow young children to chew gum or eat hard candy.

Strangulation and suffocation