Three Things To Consider During Baby Safety Month So They Don’t Turn Into A Devastating New Haven Personal Injury

Safety in all forms is of major concern to us all, but when it comes to the health and safety of babies there is not a more important topic to discuss. September is Baby Safety Month and it is important to look at a few of the situations that can occur that may cause a New Haven personal injury incident with a baby and ways to protect and keep those who are the youngest among us safe.

First, it is important to note that when you are thinking about how to keep a baby in your care safe you should always consult professionals with area expertise who can help make sure you are doing the best possible thing for a baby to keep them safe. While the information in this post will give you a starting point, it should be just that, a starting point to begin thinking about ways to keep a baby who is in your care safe from incidents that may harm them. If one of the situations described below strikes you as important to the baby you are caring for, you should make sure you have a clear understanding of what to do to keep that baby safe and if you have any questions seek the advice of a professional.

While many of the elements that come with baby safety require significant attention by you and anyone else who has the baby in the care, you will also want to make changes to your day to day life to make sure that if your attention ever wanes the baby will still be safe. For instance, if you’re bringing a baby into your home you will want to make sure you have limited the number of heavy items left around your home that a baby could pull off a shelf or table which could result in an injury to that child. If you don’t do this and then your attention turns to something else for even a split second the baby may be put at risk and you could find yourself racing to the hospital. Preparation of the area where the baby will be is critical to the child’s safety.

With a baby there are a tremendous amount of safety hazards that you have to think about, but let’s discuss three of them that are the most common and things that you can do to make sure that these injury risks don’t come to fruition when you have a baby in your care.

1.) Choking hazards. Babies love to put things in their mouths and this can seem cute and harmless, but when the items get smaller and smaller they can become a hazard to the child’s safety. When bringing a baby into your home you will want to make sure that any choking hazards are removed from all areas that the child will be and put away. To make sure you are not missing anything talk to other adults who will be in the home while you are there with the baby and have them check for anything you missed. This may seem tedious, but it will keep the child safe from accidental choking which could become an extremely large injury risk.

2.) Be aware of water risks. If you are welcoming a baby into your home you may be surprised to learn how many water risks there are around your home. Of course, the main one that most people will think about is a pool. While not everyone has a pool, if you do, you will want to limit access to it with a baby around. This is especially important if the baby is already crawling. Babies move quickly and it’s not enough to say you’re going to keep an eye on her/him, you really need to limit access to a pool area. The other water risks in your home generally have to do with the bathroom. If somehow a baby makes her/his way into your bathroom and you have not secured the toilet seat with a lock so the child cannot “investigate” the toilet you may be putting the baby at risk. You should always secure the seat and if possible keep the door to the bathroom closed.

3.) Secure stairs and windows. It seems like a few times a year we hear about an open window that has a baby fall out of it, don’t let this happen to you. Whether you’re on the first floor or the third floor or any other floor, you will want to make sure you have secured the windows so they are not open and cannot be easily opened by a baby. Similarly with stairs, you will want to make sure stairs are blocked off so a baby cannot stumble upon the top of the stairs and fall all the way back down leading to a terrible injury. Babies are curious and even if you think she/he won’t go near the stairs, you might be surprised and this would be a terrible surprise to have happen. A baby gate at the top and bottom of a set of stairs is the best way to keep the child safe.

Whether it is your own bundle of joy you are just bringing home from the hospital or you are welcoming a friend to your home who has a baby you will want to make sure you keep your home safe and free from any hazards that could lead to a New Haven personal injury incident for a baby. Remember that babies are curious and quick and if you turn your head for even a split second they can get into something that could have devastating results. If you are prepared and take the appropriate safety measures you can rest easy knowing that the child is safe in your home.

Accidents do happen and so do injuries so you may need someone who can help protect your long-term interests. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will review your situation.