Child Safety Tips Every Parent Should Know

More than 4.5 million children in the U.S. are injured every year. In 2022, the rate per 100,000 hospitalizations from non-fatal unintentional injuries in children aged 1-5 in Florida was 113. Most of these injuries are preventable by incorporating proper safety precautions. 

Safe Kids Big Bend (SKBB) is a community coalition led by Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) that implements evidence-based programs to help parents and caregivers prevent childhood injuries. The programs are based on the needs of our community and include car-seat checkups, safety workshops and sports clinics.

SKBB has put together a comprehensive guide to help prevent accidents and help keep your little ones safe.

Sleep Safety

The leading cause of injury-related death among children under age 1 is unintentional suffocation in an adult bed. Studies have shown  the risk of death by suffocation is up to 40 times greater when an infant is placed in an adult bed rather than a crib. 

Every family should have the information, knowledge and support they need to keep their babies sleeping safely. Below are nine steps for safe sleepthat you should practice each time you lay your little one down to rest.

1. Always place your baby to sleep on their back on a firm sleep surface.
2. Never dress your baby too warmly for sleep. Keep room temperature comfortable for an adult.
3. Dress your baby in a one-piece sleeper or wearable blanket instead of loose blankets.
4. Share the room, not the bed. Your baby should only sleep in a crib, bassinet or pack and play.
5. Remove all loose bedding, bumpers and toys from your baby’s sleep area. Use only a tight fitted sheet.
6. Do not expose your baby to smoke of any kind. Remember, cigarette smoke and other smoke can linger on clothing.
7. Visit your baby’s pediatrician regularly and stay up to date on immunizations.
8. Breastfeed if possible. Breastfeeding for at least two months lowers babies’ risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by 50%.
9. Offer a pacifier when putting baby to sleep. If breastfeeding, offer a pacifier after one month.

An easy way to remember these tips is to follow the “ABCs” of sleeping: 

• Alone 
• On their Back
• In their Crib

Car Seat Safety

In the U.S., motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among children. Having your child’s car seat installed correctly reduces the risk of death by as much as 71%. Unfortunately, an estimated 60% of car seats are not used or installed correctly. 

While Florida law only requires children under 5 to be in a car seat, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend booster seats for some children as old as 12, depending on their height and weight. 

The Ultimate Car Seat Guide is an online, interactive tool that provides expert guidance on everything from how to fit a child into a car seat to knowing when it is time to move to a new type. 

You can also view our guide on choosing and properly installing your child’s car seat.

Fall Prevention

From the moment your baby starts to crawl, the world is a magical place filled with new adventures and discoveries. From a child's perspective, everything is a mountain to climb (that giant bookshelf), an obstacle to overcome (those pesky stairs) or a mysterious place to investigate (anywhere beyond the safety gate). 

While it’s fun for them to climb everywhere, a serious tumble or toppling of furniture could cause a devastating injury. To prevent this from happening: 

1. Place your baby's crib and other furniture away from windows to avoid falls or strangulation.
2. Remove any strings or cords within your baby’s reach. 
3. Make sure safety gates are approved by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, are properly installed at the top and bottom of the stairs and attached to the wall, if possible.
4. Actively supervise your little one when using a baby walker. Walkers can easily fall down the stairs, tip over or help your child gain access to hazards in the home.
5. Secure televisions and furniture to the wall using mounts, brackets, braces, anchors or wall straps to prevent tip-overs.
6. For your crawlers and climbers, move chairs, cribs and other furniture away from windows to help prevent them from falling out of them.

Burn Prevention

It's tempting to carry your baby in your arms or a baby sling while doing chores around the house, but you could be creating an unintentional safety hazard. Babies experience burns from hot water, steam or electrical appliances in the kitchen and bathroom. To prevent burns from occurring: 

• Don't use a sling or hold your baby while carrying anything hot or cooking on the stove.
• Set your water heater to 102 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid scalds. While this will ensure the water will never injure your baby, you should still check the water with your wrist or elbow before a bath.

Choking Prevention

In the first year, children explore their surroundings by seeing, touching, hearing, smelling and tasting. Putting objects inside their mouth is normal for babies, but a lot of those objects pose a dangerous choking threat to them. To prevent choking: 

• Supervise your baby when they are eating or playing. 
• Check toys to make sure there aren't any small parts or other potential choking hazards before they play with them.
• Keep an eye on small game pieces that may be a choking hazard for young children.
• Learn the Heimlich maneuver and CPR in the event your child does choke. If they begin choking, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Fire and Carbon Monoxide Safety

There are many child-specific safety measures to learn when becoming a parent, but it’s important to keep basic safety measures in mind. 

In 2023, 77 home fire fatalities were reported in Florida. Carbon monoxide is the most common cause of accidental poisoning in the U.S. and is referred to as the “silent killer” since it is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas.

When preparing for your baby, keep your home safe from fires and carbon monoxide:  

• Install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home and near every sleeping area. 
• To prevent possible fires, avoid overloading electrical outlets with appliances.
• Create and practice a home fire escape plan with two escape routes for each room of the house.
• Designate one person to get infants and small children out safely.
• Have a backup plan in case the primary person is overcome by smoke.

While TMH offers the most experienced pediatric team in the region and is home to the area’s only pediatric intensive care unit, we hope your family does not have any emergencies that would require a visit. Remember, if your child does experience a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.