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Baby's Safety Six to Twelve Months

From six to twelve months of age, baby grows and develops quickly. New personality and physical changes can be seen each day. Baby can sit, crawl and stand, and will fall often. The home must be made safe. Here are tips to help ensure baby’s safety from six to twelve months.

Preventing Falls

  • Install sturdy gates at top and bottom of stairs.
  • Install operable window guards.
  • Keep space in front of windows free of chests, tables.
  • Do not allow baby to crawl onto furniture.
  • Never use a baby walker because it may tip over or fall down the stairs.
  • Keep play area clear of hard, sharp-edged objects and toys.
  • If baby falls, check that he is all right before picking him up. If baby acts different, call the doctor or take to emergency room.

Bathroom Safety

  • Keep baby away from bathroom by keeping the door closed.
  • Keep toilet lid down.
  • Keep free of pails and other water containers.
  • Keep water heater no hotter than 120 degrees.
  • Bathe baby on a non-slippery surface and hold baby’s neck and head up.
  • Never leave baby alone or with siblings in water.

Safety Habits to Prevent Suffocating and Choking

  • Stay with baby while baby is eating.
  • Do not give food or bottle to baby when baby is walking or crawling around home.
  • Do not give baby food that could cause choking (peanuts, popcorn, carrots, grapes, hotdogs).
  • Learn how to remove food or other items from a choking baby.
  • Learn CPR from your doctor or nurse.
  • Keep baby’s crib away from windows, curtains and cords from blinds; tie cords high and out of reach.
  • Remove labels from stuffed toys.
  • Remove mobiles from crib because baby can reach parts, pull and put into mouth.

Kitchen Safety

  • Keep baby from walking or crawling around kitchen.
  • Place baby in a safe place nearby (playpen, highchair) when you work in the kitchen.
  • Keep baby away from stoves, refrigerators and hot appliances.
  • Keep pans toward back of stove and turn handles inward.
  • Do not hold baby and work with the stove at the same time.
  • Keep waste baskets closed and out of baby’s reach.
  • Keep small fire extinguisher in kitchen.
  • If child is burned, apply cool water and loose bandage, and call doctor or take to emergency room.

Child-Proofing Home for Safety

  • Keep matches and lighters away from children.
  • Do not keep guns or firearms in the home, or keep guns unloaded with a safety device and stored in a locked place.
  • Throw away all water, chemicals and other mixtures after use.
  • Check smoke alarm batteries monthly.
  • Keep tool chests locked so baby will not be caught or injured.
  • Keep baby out of garage and basement.
  • Apply child-proof latches to cabinets.
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