Safety Tips

Things you should do to keep your baby safe:

• When traveling with your baby, be sure to use an infant car seat that meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Look for a tag or label that says the seat meets these standards.
• The middle of the back seat of the car is the safest place for your baby. The infant car seat must be in the back seat. The infant seat must face the rear of the car. It is not safe to use it in the front seat.
• Check the bath water before bathing your baby. Test it with the inside of your wrist or with a thermometer. If possible, set the water heater in your home to 120 degrees.
• Always check warmed formula to make sure it is not too hot.
• Instruct caregivers carefully. Write things down for them. Make sure that everyone who takes care of your baby understands that you have specific expectations about how to treat and care for your baby.
• Make sure that you and others put your baby to sleep on his back in a safe baby crib.

Numbers to call for information:

To learn more about safety, you can call the Consumer Product Safety Commission at 1-800-638-2772 or you can visit their Web site at www.cpsc.gov/.

Families who cannot afford a car safety seat can contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. They can provide information on resources that help low-income families purchase or borrow child car seats. You may call them at 1-800-424-9393 or visit their Web site at www.nhtsa.dot.gov/.

Things you should not do:

• Never leave your baby alone on a bed, couch, table or chair.
• Never leave your baby alone in a car.
• Never put your baby in an infant car seat and then place the seat on a table or chair.
• Never hold your baby while you are smoking, drinking something hot or cooking at a stove.
• Don’t allow anyone to smoke around your baby.
• Never leave your baby alone in the bath.
• Never hold your baby in your lap when you are riding in the car or driving.
• Never shake or hit your baby.
• Never leave your baby alone with a pet even if you know the animal well.

Make sure your baby’s crib is safe:

• Slats should be spaced no more than 2 3/8 inches apart.
• The mattress should fit snugly in the crib.
• The crib bumpers should fit snugly around the crib. Make sure they are attached so that they stay in place.
• Check crib toys, bumpers, pacifiers, mobiles and clothing to make sure they have no strings longer than six inches.

This content has been provided freely by CMC. Click Healthy Start, Grow Smart—Your Three-Month-Old for your free download. Click GreatDad Free Ebook to download the entire Health Start, Grow Smart series.

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