Safety Corner

Here are some tips to make sure your baby is safe from harm or injury:

• Never leave your baby alone in a high place, such as a tabletop, a couch or a bed.
• Don’t leave her in a crib with the sides down. She can hurt herself if she falls.
• Never drink, eat, prepare or carry hot things while holding your baby.
• Don’t smoke around your baby. Don’t allow others to do so.
• Never give your baby any food or anything that could make her choke. Only give her foods that have been mashed.
• If you can, set the temperature of your hot water heater to 120 degrees or less. This will protect your baby from burns.
• Never shake or hit your baby.
• Never leave your baby alone with any pet. Even friendly pets can harm a baby.

In the car…

• Buckle your baby in a child seat in the back seat of your vehicle. The child seat should face the back of your car, not the front.
• Babies should never ride in the front seat of a car.
• Never hold your baby in your lap while you are driving.
• Never leave your baby alone in a car. Don’t do it even if the windows are partly open.

In the crib…

• Crib mattresses should fit the crib snugly. There should be no gaps between the mattress and the sides of the crib.
• Do not cover the mattress with plastic bags of any kind.
• The slats on the side of the crib should be 2 3/8 inches apart, or even closer.

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

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