Baby Safety and Childproofing your home

About 2-1/2 million children are injured or killed each year, due to hazards in the home. Many of these incidents can be prevented by taking steps to make sure that your home is safe and that you follow age appropriate recommendations for each stage of your child's young life.

There are many devices available to help prevent injury, along with using common sense. Remember, nothing is completely safe and eyes must be on the children at all times. It only takes a blink of an eye, a turn of the head, for an incident to occur.

Bringing Home Baby Most important, ALWAYS put your baby on his/her back, on a firm, flat, tight-fitting mattress, to sleep. More infants die or are injured in crib accidents than any other nursery item. Remove all pillows and soft, loose bedding from the crib. These items can cause suffocation.

The Crib Never use a crib that has missing slats or loose hardware. If you repaint the crib use only high quality lead-free paint. Use a mattress that fits tightly: If you can fit more than 2 fingers between the edge of the mattress and the crib side, the mattress is too small.

Never use strings to hang objects, such as mobiles, toys, or a diaper bag in or near the crib. Never place the crib, or any children’s furniture near window blinds or drapes. Always lock the side rail when you put your child in the crib. Never put your baby in a crib filled with stuffed animals, pillows or heavy blankets. Remove all such items to prevent suffocation.

CRIB TOYS Crib gyms and other toys that stretch across the crib with strings, cords or ribbons can be hazards for older or active babies. Make sure crib gyms are installed securely at both ends and cannot be pulled down. Remove crib gyms and mobiles when your baby is 5 mos. old, or before, if the baby begins to push up on hands and knees.

Hanging toys and mobiles should be out of the child's reach. Don’t use toys that have points that can hook on clothing.

Co-Sleeping U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warns parents not to place their infants to sleep in adult beds, stating that the practice puts babies at risk of suffocation and strangulation.

The Deadly Couch Infants can suffocate when they get trapped or wedged between the cushions and the back of the couch.

Swaddling Your Baby Once your baby is one month old you should stop swaddling your baby when sleeping, as it hinders mobility. The baby is also at risk for overheating.

In Home Drowning ABOUT 2/3 OF ALL DROWNING DEATHS INSIDE THE HOME OCCUR IN THE BATHTUB. NEVER LEAVE A BABY ALONE IN WATER. NEVER LEAVE YOUNG CHILDREN ALONE OR WITH YOUNGER SIBLINGS IN A BATHTUB.

TOILETS ARE DROWNING HAZARDS. KEEP THE TOILETS ARE DROWNING HAZARDS. KEEP THE LID DOWN AND KEEP YOUNG CHILDREN OUT OF THE BATHROOM WHEN UNSUPERVISED. BUCKETS POSE A SERIOUS THREAT TO TODDLERS. MAKE SURE ALL CONTAINERS THAT HAVE LIQUID IN THEM ARE EMPTIED IMMEDIATELY AFTER USE.

WHERE THEY CAN FILL WITH WATER. DO NOT LEAVE EMPTY CONTAINERS IN YARDS OR AROUND THE HOUSE WHERE THEY CAN FILL WITH WATER. LEARN CPR---- IT CAN BE A LIFESAVER.

Quick Facts Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death among children ages 1 to 14. Drowning can occur in as little as 1 inch of water. Drowning is usually quick and silent. A child will lose consciousness two minutes after submersion. Data Source: Safe Kids, USA

Home Water Safety Most children who drown in swimming pools were in the care of one or both parents and missing from sight for less than 5 minutes! Two-thirds of parents are unaware of the risk of swimming pool drain entrapment. Data Source: Safe Kids, USA

Drowning Deaths 2000-2004 Ages 1-4

Types of Drowning in Manatee County 1991-2004 24 Total Deaths Due to Drowning

What is happening in Florida? Review of toddler pool drownings DOH reviewed 58 cases of toddler pool drowning deaths in Florida between 2003-2006 investigated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. 71% of cases accessed the pool through a door leading from the home to the pool area. The majority of drownings occurred while caregiver was engaged in routine household activity (using the bathroom, cooking/eating, talking, watching TV, reading, etc.) that allowed a lapse in supervision of the toddler to occur. Data Source: Office of Injury Prevention Florida Department of Health

Florida Overall An average of 465 drowning deaths occur annually among Florida residents and non-residents. There is an average of 566 hospitalizations for near drownings in Florida every year. Florida’s overall drowning death rate was twice the national rate in 2001-2004. Over a quarter of all drowning deaths in 2001-2005 occurred in swimming pools. Children ages 1- 4 made up the largest % of drowning deaths and near drownings. Data Source: Office of Injury Prevention Florida Department of Health

One of the most tragic aspects of drowning deaths is that they are preventable, but there is no foolproof method of prevention. Make layers of protection a way of life. This would include constant supervision, placing barriers and being prepared in case of emergency.

SUPERVISION SUPERVISION IS THE MOST POWERFUL TOOL, BUT IS OFTEN THE FIRST TO FAIL. NEVER LEAVE A CHILD UNATTENDED BY A POOL, SPA, BATHTUB OR ANY BODY OF WATER. DROWNING OCCURS WHILE AN ADULT IS AWAY FROM THE AREA FOR “JUST A MINUTE.” DROWNING CAN BE SILENT. WATCH CHILDREN IN THE WATER AT ALL TIMES. CHILDREN WHO CANNOT SWIM SHOULD WEAR A LIFE JACKET AT ALL TIMES AROUND THE WATER.

ALWAYS DESIGNATE AN ADULT AS A “WATER WATCHER”

SAFETY BARRIERS Pools should be surrounded on all four sides by a wall or fence barrier that is at least 5’ high. The bars or slats should be less than 5” apart. Pool and spa areas should be locked or latched when not in use. Keep doors leading to the water shut and locked. All protective barriers must be maintained. Spas should have a properly secured safety cover.

Tips to Prevent Drowning Actively supervise children around water. Appoint a designated “child watcher.” Those who are watching the children should not engage in distracting behaviors or use drugs/alcohol! Multiple layers of barriers must be used and they must be in proper working condition.

More Drowning Prevention Tips Four-sided fencing, at least 5’ high and equipped with self-closing and self-latching gates, should be installed around all pools and spas. Install door and/or window alarms to alert you if a child wanders into the pool area. Teaching a child to swim is not enough! Most children who drown are 4 and under.

More Tips Know where the manual cut-off switch is for the pool pump. Regularly check drain covers to ensure they are secure and in proper working order. Install multiple drains in all pools, spas, and hot tubs. Teach children never to go near pool drains.

And More Tips Empty all buckets and store them upside down when not in use. Keep all doors to bathrooms and laundry rooms closed. Limit access to all water in the home by installing and using appropriate safety devices (door locks and toilet latches) Empty wading pools immediately after use.

PLAYPENS Deaths have occurred when the drop-sides of playpens and cribs were left in the down position. When a mesh side is let down it forms a pocket. Young infants, even just a few weeks old, can move into the pocket, become trapped and suffocate.

Deaths have also occurred when the playpen was not securely locked into position, causing it to collapse, entrapping the child’s neck.

****** SO ****** NEVER LEAVE AN INFANT IN A PLAYPEN WITH THE SIDE DOWN. REMOVE ALL LARGE TOYS, BOXES & BUMPER PADS. THEY CAN BE USED TO CLIMB OUT. AVOID TYING ANY ITEMS ACROSS THE TOP OR CORNER OF THE PLAYPEN: THEY CAN CAUSE STRANGULATION.

BABY GATES Some gates are dangerous: A child’s head can get trapped in the openings of baby gates with accordion-style or large V- or diamond-shaped openings, and can get strangled. Expandable enclosures can be equally dangerous.

Be sure the gate is securely anchored in the doorway it is blocking Be sure the gate is securely anchored in the doorway it is blocking. Children have pushed gates over. Pressure gates are not recommended at the top of a stairway. They can pop out of the opening.

HIGH CHAIRS Thousands of children are injured each year because of improper high chair use. The majority of injuries occur because restraint straps are not used and children are not properly supervised.

To prevent injury, high chairs should. have a waist strap and one that To prevent injury, high chairs should have a waist strap and one that runs between the legs. Children should always be restrained by both straps.

NEVER ALLOW A CHILD TO STAND UP IN A HIGH CHAIR. KEEP THE HIGH CHAIR FAR ENOUGH FROM THE TABLE, COUNTER, WALL OR OTHER SURFACE THAT A CHILD CAN’T USE IT TO PUSH OFF FROM . DON’T LET CHILDREN PLAY AROUND THE CHAIR UNATTENDED. DON’T LET OLDER CHILDREN HANG ONTO THE CHAIR WHEN A BABY IS IN IT, TO AVOID IT TIPPING OVER.

STROLLERS & CARRIAGES Safety Tips If your stroller has a hand rest at the front of the seat, make sure the opening between the hand rest (grab bar) and seat is closed when using the stroller in a reclined position. When folding or unfolding a stroller keep your child away from it. Fingers have been amputated by parts of the folding mechanism. Always secure the seat belt.

Never leave a child unattended, especially when asleep. A stroller is not a toy. Never allow children to use one as a plaything. Never use a pillow, folded quilt, or blanket as a mattress in a stroller or carriage.

GENERAL HOUSEHOLD TIPS YOUNG CHILDREN CAN BE KILLED WHEN FURNITURE TIPS OVER Place TV’s on lower furniture and as far back as possible. Use angle braces to secure furniture to the wall. Children will climb on a lower drawer that has been pulled out, using it as a step. Use latches on lower drawers to ensure they cannot be opened by young children.

Drawstrings on children’s clothing and nightwear can cause strangulation. Drawstrings can get caught on playground equipment or cribs. Remove drawstrings from hood and neck areas of outerwear such as sweatshirts and jackets.

POISONINGS Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Keep all medicines, vitamins and household cleaning products locked away from children. Child resistant packaging is not child proof. Keep poisonous plants out of children’s reach. If you need assistance call : Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Babies use their mouths to learn about the world MORE TIPS Babies use their mouths to learn about the world Keep tiny objects, such as small balls, marbles and balloons, out of reach of your baby. Smooth, round objects present the highest risk for choking. Uninflated balloons and balloon pieces can easily be inhaled and block the windpipe. When buying a toys, check the label to make sure it is appropriate for your child’s age.

Burns & Injuries Use your stove’s back burners. Keep pot handles turned to the back of the stove. Lock up knives, matches, lighters and plastic bags. KEEP THEM OUT OF A CHILD’S REACH !

Don’t place plastic climbing equipment indoors on hard surfaces. Falls on cement, tile and other hard floors can cause serious head injuries and even death. Use only outdoors on surfaces such as mulch or sand. Grass is not a shock-absorbing material.

FIRE HAZARDS Install smoke alarms on each floor of your home, especially near sleeping areas. Test them regularly and change the batteries every year, or when indicated. After 10 years throw away the smoke detector and buy a new one. Call your local fire department for any questions about your smoke alarm.

CHILDPROOFING YOUR HOME Door Knob Covers and Door Locks: Can help keep children away from places with hazards, including swimming pools. Make sure the knob cover allows the door to be opened quickly by an adult in case of emergency. Door locks should be placed high, out of reach of young children. Locks should be used in addition to fences and alarms.

Window Guards and Safety Netting for balconies Window Guards and Safety Netting for balconies and decks can help prevent serious falls. Window Blind Cord Safety Tassels on vertical blinds and drapery cords can help prevent deaths and injuries from strangulation in the cord loops. For older blinds, cut the cord loop, remove the buckle and put safety tassels on each cord. Be sure older blinds and drapery cords have tie-down devices to hold the cords tight.

Outlet Covers and Outlet Plates can help Outlet Covers and Outlet Plates can help protect children from electrical shock and possible electrocution. Make sure that they cannot be easily removed by children and are large enough so that children cannot choke on them. Corner and Edge Bumpers can be used with furniture to prevent injuries from falls by softening sharp edges. Door Stops and Door Holders can help prevent small fingers and hands from being pinched or crushed in doors and door hinges.

In the event of an emergency a cordless phone will allow you to watch your child continuously, without leaving the area to answer or make a phone call.

What is happening in Manatee County? Statistics and Programs

Causes of Death For Children 5 and Under in Manatee County 1991-2004 SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) 26 Asphyxia/Suffocation 25 Drowning 20 Exposure to Fire Atmosphere 5 Pneumonia/Respiratory Ailment Blunt Force Trauma to the Head 4 Blunt Force Trauma Other 3 Shaken Baby Syndrome 2 Unknown/Undetermined Cause 9 All Other Causes 35

In Manatee County: Onesies in Spanish and English are given to new and expectant mothers. This reminds parents to put babies on their backs to sleep.

“The Moses Project” A Partnership with Healthy Start, Kiwanis, Manatee Sheriff’s Office Baskets bought with donations Liners made by volunteers Mattresses and mattress liners made my Manatee County Inmates

Some Law Enforcement Agencies in cooperation with the Medical Examiner are using Doll Re-enactments to show the dangers of falling asleep on the couch with your baby.

So the following were formed: Child Death Review Team Child Death Prevention Taskforce Partnerships with Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Kiwanis Club of Bradenton, Health Dept., Healthy Start Coalition, Manatee & Lakewood Ranch Hospitals, Rural Health, METV, All Children’s Hospital Safe Kids and others, working to educate our community on the dangers of unsafe sleep environments that are contributing to the deaths of our infant’s. Together we can make a difference!!

REMEMBER ALWAYS KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE KIDS

For More Information If you need additional information or assistance you can call: Safe Kids SunCoast 727-767-8581 Florida Poison Information Center 1-800-222-1222 Department of Children & Families 1-800-96-ABUSE Manatee County Health Department 941-748-0747 Manatee County Community Services 941-749-3030

This Presentation Created By: Sharon Carlson, BSW Injury Prevention Specialist, Manatee County Health Department & Kimberly Kutch, Ed.S. Operations Manager Circuit 20 Department of Children and Families