National Baby Safety Month
Did you know September is National Baby Safety Month? This annual educational campaign is sponsored by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) to help increase awareness for consumers about the safe use and selection of toys and other products for babies and kids. I remember when my son was first born that “childproofing” our home to ensure it was safe for a newborn baby was a massive undertaking. In the spirit of National Baby Safety Month – and to help spread awareness – I wanted to share some tips and ideas that can be helpful for a (growing) family!
- Safe, and Sound Asleep – The theme of JPMA’s baby safety campaign this year is creating a safe sleep environment for your child. It’s important to use a crib or cradle that meets the minimum government requirements and to carefully follow instructions when assembling so that it functions properly. JPMA offers several safety guidelines here about how to select safe sleeping products, nursery decorations and healthy sleep practices for babies.
- From a Baby’s Eyes – When preparing your home for the arrival of a new baby, try walking (or crawling!) through your home and look at it from the perspective of a baby or small child. Crystal Arcand, a blogger for Kid Glue, shares a helpful reminder that small items on the floor – something an adult might not notice from five feet up! – can easily catch the attention of a baby and become a potential choking hazard. She also has tons of other great tips in her post here, such as covering outlets and wrapping up appliance cords.
- Check it Once, Check it Twice – As you begin to gather a variety of safety tips and resources, it can help to create a checklist so that routine tasks are easy to review and compiled in one place. Your list will be especially handy for a relative or babysitter who helps to watch the kids when you’re away. You could even turn your checklist into a notepad to make it convenient to use. Just grab a checklist off the top, add any new or updated notes for the babysitter that night, and you’re off! To help organize your list, we’ve created a template here.
I hope you find these suggestions helpful whether you’re bringing a new addition home to the family soon or just need a quick refresher on easy ways to create a safer environment for your little ones. And feel free to share your tips in the comments section below!
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