Safety

When babies roll and crawl they learn by pulling and touching everything. As your baby pulls to stand and learns to walk they will topple over a lot.

You may not be able to prevent every bump, scrape or cut, but some simple safety measures will lower the risk of your baby getting hurt. Talk to Plunket staff or other well child health providers about where to buy safety equipment.

It can be helpful to get down onto the floor at your baby’s level and look at the dangers around you (eg plugs, toys, heaters and stairs).

Going through the following checklist and making changes inside your home will help keep your baby safe.

Home safety

• Place the cot away from the window and any blind/curtain cords.
• Make sure baby’s cot has no corner posts/knobs more than 8mm above the height of the top of the cot, so clothes can't get caught and strangle them.
• Make sure the temperature of your hot water at the tap is no more than 50°C.
• Use a fireguard with fireplaces and heaters and make sure it is secured to the wall.
• Keep the electric jug and the cord well away from your baby.
• Put safety plugs in electric sockets.
• Keep all medicines, household cleaners and other poisons out of reach and locked away.
• Ask for child-resistant tops every time you get medicines from the pharmacist.
• Keep your baby somewhere safe, away from hot liquids while those around enjoy a hot drink.
• Never leave your baby alone in the bath - always watch them.
• Avoid using a baby bath seat.
• Keep the nappy bucket up off the floor and make sure it has a firm-fitting lid.
• Use tablemats rather than a tablecloth.
• Check toys for small or broken parts.
• Use a stair guard.

Out & about

• Make sure your baby’s car seat is right for their weight and size, is installed correctly and is used every time they travel in a vehicle.
• Keep baby is kept out of the sun from 11am–4pm as much as possible, a suitable sunscreen and sunhat are used and your baby is kept in the shade when outside.
• Fence the outside play area and make sure it is away from the driveway and road.
• Always use the safety harness in prams, highchairs and shopping trolleys.
• Keep a hand on the rail as you carry your baby down stairs.
• Avoid using baby walkers.

Safe clothing

Clothes are safe when:

• there are no ribbons or cords as they can strangle your baby if they get caught on cots, toys or furniture
• pyjamas and clothes are snug (close) fitting to reduce the risk of them catching on fire.