Making sure your child has a safe environment is essential. Every year in New Zealand over 13,000 children under the age of 5 are admitted to hospital with injuries and poisoning, unfortunately many of these could have been prevented.
Consider completing a First Aid Course so you will be prepared should an accident or emergency take place.
Keep dangerous items secured and out of reach from your baby or toddler, this includes knives, scissors, razors, coins, beads, pins, cleaning products and medicines.
Install safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs and entrance ways.
Fire Safety
Ensure you have working smoke alarms in your house.
Have a family escape plan, so everyone knows what they need to do in case of a fire.
Store a fire extinguisher in your house.
Keep candles, matches and lighters well away from children.
Preventing Burns
Be careful with hot drinks and avoid drinking them while carrying your baby.
If bottle feeding, always check the temperature of the milk on your wrist before giving it to your baby.
Ensure your hot water is set at no higher than 50 degrees.
Fires and heaters should have a safety guard that is secured or attached to the wall.
If cooking, use the back elements of the stove and keep all handles turned away from the front.
Check water temperature before placing child in the bath, fill with cold water first, then add hot water to bring up the temperature. A bath thermometer can help to ensure the bath is not too hot.
Feeding Safety
Never leave your baby unattended with a bottle or food as they could choke.
Ensure the food you give your baby or toddler matches their age and stage. Avoid small, hard foods like nuts and grapes.
Make sure your child sits while they're eating and drinking.
If using a highchair, always use safety harness to keep them from sliding out.
Water Safety
Never leave your baby unattended in a bath or paddling pool and empty as soon as they're finished with it.
Keep within close reach of your baby or toddler when they are playing around water.
Make sure your child can't get into any swimming pool or spa when at home or away.
Keep the toilet lid down.
Keep the bathroom door closed when not being used.
Preventing Choking And Suffocation
Do not tie anything to or around your baby's neck, for example to hold a pacifier or toy.
Ensure buttons are secured on clothing.
Cords on blinds or curtains need to be well out of reach of your child. A cot should not be placed near a window.
Put away all small objects and plastic bags.
Preventing Poisoning
If you think your child has swallowed poison, contact the National Poisons Centre on 0800 764 766 or seek urgent medical advice from your health professional.
Check paint on older furniture, toys and houses. If it is lead-based it can poison children.
Small silver button batteries can cause internal burns, make sure they are locked away from children.
Check poisons and medicines have child proof caps and are stored safely and securely.
Never store poisons or medicines in containers other than what they came in.
If giving Paracetamol (Pamol) to your child, follow the instructions and ensure the correct amount is given.
Sleep Safety
Ensure the cot complies with New Zealand's Safety Standards.
The mattress of your baby's bed needs to be firm, flat and fit snugly. The distance between the edges of the mattress and any side of the cot must not exceed 20mm.
Do not place toys or pillows in a baby's bed that could cover their face or lift their head
Ensure your baby can not get through or caught in the bars of their cot. The space between bars must not be less than 50mm or exceed 95mm.
If you baby falls asleep in a car seat or carrier, try to remove them and place them in their cot or bassinet.
Clothing and bedding should keep your baby at a comfortable temperature.
Preventing Sudden Unexpected Death Of An Infant (SUDI)