Safety
Keeping your child safe and sound is one of the largest roles of being a new parent. There's many hazards that your baby faces, and knowing how to keep them safe is the first step. Even before you bring your baby home, you'll want to have things ready for their arrival.
The major causes of injuries leading to emergency department visits for children under five years old in Niagara are:
Learn about other safety concerns and how you can prevent injuries.
- Car seats
Using the right car seat or booster seat in the right way can significantly reduce the risk that your child will be hurt or killed.
Free car seat classes are available throughout the year to teach parents and caregivers how to safely install and use their child car seats. Each class is 60 minutes long.
Sessions are offered by community partners, and cover all types of seats, including rear-facing, forward-facing and booster, for children of all ages.
- Safe sleep
Having a safe sleeping environment is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
The safest place for your baby to sleep is on their back in a crib, cradle or bassinet. It's recommended that you share a room with your baby for the first six months of your baby's life.
- It's safest to only have a firm mattress and fitted sheet in your baby’s crib
- Avoid using loose bedding, quilts, pillows, bumper pads, stuffed toys and sleep positioners, as these items can be suffocation hazards
- If a blanket needs to be used, a thin light weight breathable blanket is best
- Keep your home completely free of smoke
- Avoid your baby sleeping for long periods of time in items like strollers, car seats, swings or slings
- Make sure your baby can't reach cords from window blinds, shades or curtains. These can strangulate a baby.
- Avoid overheating your baby. A room temperature that's comfortable for you, is also good for your baby.
- Safe environments
Babies on the move like to explore and get into things. Because of this, parents and caregivers must make sure that their surroundings are safe and free from hazards. While there's lots of gadgets available to make environments safer, nothing works better than proper supervision to help keep your child safe.
- Product recalls
Keep up-to-date on safety advisories or product recalls with the Government of Canada's recalls and safety alerts.
For more information on product safety, visit Parachute Canada.
- Sun safety
Babies' skin is very sensitive and can burn quickly when exposed to the sun. Protect your baby by:
- Limiting sun exposure, especially during peak sun hours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Always put a hat on your baby
- Use a stroller shade when out for a walk
- Properly apply sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30. Sunscreen is not recommended for use on babies less than six months old.
Keep babies younger than one year of age out of direct sunlight, and consider other sun safety tips to protect yourself and your family.
© Niagara Region - 1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON, L2V 4T7 - Phone: 905-980-6000, Toll-free: 1-800-263-7215
