Palmetto Childproofing Announces That September is Baby Safety Month 2011
The crib is the only place where a baby is ever left alone and unsupervised for long periods of time. Creating a safe sleep environment is critical.
Charlotte, NC, August 24, 2011 --(PR.com)-- As part of it its continuing effort to help parents create a safe home environment, Palmetto Childproofing Inc announces that September is Baby Safety Month. The month-long campaign, sponsored annually by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), helps educate parents and raise awareness of keeping babies and toddlers safe--both inside and outside the home.
“All aspects of baby safety are important,” says Mike Bost, Vice President of Palmetto Childproofing, “but one area of the home where parents need to especially focus their babyproofing efforts is the nursery.”
According to Bost, crib safety and creating a safe sleep environment are particular areas of concern. “The crib is the only place where a baby is ever left alone and unsupervised for long periods of time,” he says. “Therefore, it is critical that it be made as safe as possible.” He offers the following tips for keeping babies safe in the nursery and in the crib:
Crib Safety: According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), more than 9 million cribs have been recalled in the last five years. New federal crib safety standards affecting the sale, resale, and manufacture of cribs took effect on June 28, 2011. One main area addressed was the banning of drop-side cribs. For more information about the new federal standards and recalled cribs, visit www.cribsafety.org.
More Crib Safety: Move your child from a crib to a bed as soon as he or she outgrows the crib. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that approximately 5,000 toddlers each year are treated in emergency rooms for injuries sustained after falling out of cribs. Your toddler is outgrowing the crib if the height of the top rail is less than three-quarters of the child’s height, or if he or she is able to climb up the sides of the crib.
Even More Crib Safety: Avoid placing a crib near a window. The cords from window blinds can pose a strangulation hazard. Regardless of crib placement, ensure blind cords are wrapped high on a wall clear out of reach. Consider installing cordless blinds as a safer alternative.
Safe Sleep Environment: Cribs should be free of blankets, pillows, bumper pads, and stuffed animals. These items can block the airway of a sleeping baby and cause suffocation.
Video and Audio Monitors: Since 2004, at least six infants have been strangled by baby monitor cords placed too close to the crib according to CPSC. Check the location of your baby monitors, including those mounted on the wall, to ensure electrical cords are out of reach from the crib. As your child grows, ensure the cords stay out of reach.
Furniture Safety: CPSC estimates that 19,000 children each year are treated in emergency rooms for tip-over related injuries. Dressers and bookshelves in the nursery should be secured to the wall with brackets or furniture straps.
Choking Hazards: The rubber tips on door stops can be easily removed by babies and pose a choking hazard. Replace these door stops with solid, one-piece door stops. Check the floor daily to ensure dropped items do not pose a choking hazard. As a general rule, if an object is small enough to pass through a toilet paper tube, it is small enough to choke on.
Electrical Outlets: Cover electrical outlets with self-closing outlet plates. Avoid using plastic push plugs as they may pose a choking hazard if dislodged. Additionally, avoid plugging anything into an outlet within reach of the crib.
Changing Tables: Never leave your baby unattended, even for a moment, on a changing table. Do not hang pictures or mirrors above the changing table as these may be dislodged and cause injury.
About Palmetto Childproofing Inc
Palmetto Childproofing Inc helps parents create a safe home environment for their baby or toddler to live, explore, develop, and grow. The company is committed to injury prevention for babies and toddlers by providing home safety consultations, a complete line of quality child safety products, and professional installation services. Palmetto Childproofing Inc services the parents of Charlotte, NC and surrounding areas.
###
“All aspects of baby safety are important,” says Mike Bost, Vice President of Palmetto Childproofing, “but one area of the home where parents need to especially focus their babyproofing efforts is the nursery.”
According to Bost, crib safety and creating a safe sleep environment are particular areas of concern. “The crib is the only place where a baby is ever left alone and unsupervised for long periods of time,” he says. “Therefore, it is critical that it be made as safe as possible.” He offers the following tips for keeping babies safe in the nursery and in the crib:
Crib Safety: According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), more than 9 million cribs have been recalled in the last five years. New federal crib safety standards affecting the sale, resale, and manufacture of cribs took effect on June 28, 2011. One main area addressed was the banning of drop-side cribs. For more information about the new federal standards and recalled cribs, visit www.cribsafety.org.
More Crib Safety: Move your child from a crib to a bed as soon as he or she outgrows the crib. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that approximately 5,000 toddlers each year are treated in emergency rooms for injuries sustained after falling out of cribs. Your toddler is outgrowing the crib if the height of the top rail is less than three-quarters of the child’s height, or if he or she is able to climb up the sides of the crib.
Even More Crib Safety: Avoid placing a crib near a window. The cords from window blinds can pose a strangulation hazard. Regardless of crib placement, ensure blind cords are wrapped high on a wall clear out of reach. Consider installing cordless blinds as a safer alternative.
Safe Sleep Environment: Cribs should be free of blankets, pillows, bumper pads, and stuffed animals. These items can block the airway of a sleeping baby and cause suffocation.
Video and Audio Monitors: Since 2004, at least six infants have been strangled by baby monitor cords placed too close to the crib according to CPSC. Check the location of your baby monitors, including those mounted on the wall, to ensure electrical cords are out of reach from the crib. As your child grows, ensure the cords stay out of reach.
Furniture Safety: CPSC estimates that 19,000 children each year are treated in emergency rooms for tip-over related injuries. Dressers and bookshelves in the nursery should be secured to the wall with brackets or furniture straps.
Choking Hazards: The rubber tips on door stops can be easily removed by babies and pose a choking hazard. Replace these door stops with solid, one-piece door stops. Check the floor daily to ensure dropped items do not pose a choking hazard. As a general rule, if an object is small enough to pass through a toilet paper tube, it is small enough to choke on.
Electrical Outlets: Cover electrical outlets with self-closing outlet plates. Avoid using plastic push plugs as they may pose a choking hazard if dislodged. Additionally, avoid plugging anything into an outlet within reach of the crib.
Changing Tables: Never leave your baby unattended, even for a moment, on a changing table. Do not hang pictures or mirrors above the changing table as these may be dislodged and cause injury.
About Palmetto Childproofing Inc
Palmetto Childproofing Inc helps parents create a safe home environment for their baby or toddler to live, explore, develop, and grow. The company is committed to injury prevention for babies and toddlers by providing home safety consultations, a complete line of quality child safety products, and professional installation services. Palmetto Childproofing Inc services the parents of Charlotte, NC and surrounding areas.
###
Contact
Palmetto Childproofing
Mike Bost
803-548-9936
www.palmettochildproofing.com
Mike Bost
803-548-9936
www.palmettochildproofing.com
Contact
Categories