Child Safety - Birth to Five years
INTRODUCTION:
Children under the age of five years are most vulnerable to injuries. Therefore the responsibility of creating a safe
environment for a small child lies with parents and caregivers.
Be aware of your child’s different developmental stages. At certain stages children are prone to certain injuries.
Make sure that you know what to do in case of an emergency.
BIRTH – 6 MONTHS
At this age the baby needs full time care from an adult. The Baby’s ability to roll, move and grasp objects increases rapidly. .
Most injuries in this age group can be prevented. Often accidents happen because parents are not aware of what their baby can
do.
FALLS
Babies wriggle and move and also push against things with their feet.
As a baby starts rolling he/she will be able to fall off everything unless protected.
Do not leave a baby alone on changing tables, beds, sofas or chairs.
Keep cot sides up at all times.
Place baby in a safe place when you cannot hold him for example, cot, playpen, on the floor on a cushion etc.
Babies usually start crawling at six months. Always use safety gates on stairways.
Try and avoid using a baby walker. They enable babies to move quickly and expose them to dangers that they may be
to young too recognize. If using a walker, then constant parental supervision is essential.
CAR SAFETY
Children should be buckled up from his /her first ride in an approved child car seat.
Never travel with a baby on your lap or lying loose on the seat – this is very dangerous, and is a great threat to your
babies life and health.
Follow manufacturer's instructions when installing your baby’s car seat.
BURNS
Never carry your baby and hot liquid or food at the same time.
Always put the cold water in the bath first and check the temperature to prevent scald injuries.
DROWNING
Never leave a small baby alone in the bath.
A small child can drown in ± 5 cm of water within 30 seconds.
CHOKING AND SUFFOCATION
Never leave small objects within your baby’s reach.
Remove bibs before baby sleeps.
Avoid ribbons and cords on sleepwear
Do not use a dummy chain or string around the babies neck when he/she is sleeping
Cot bars should be spaced in such a way so that baby cannot get his /her head through.
Do not use pillows in the cot, they are unnecessary.
POISONING
Always make sure of the correct dosage of medication and read labels .
6 – 12 MONTHS
, During this stage a baby will become more mobile. He/she will crawl and pull on furniture and objects to stand and take his/her
first steps. Everything within reach will also go into the baby’s mouth.
FALLS
Use safety gates on stairways (top and bottom).
Install window guards on all windows.
Always use a harness on highchairs, shopping trolleys and prams.
Make sure that all furniture is stable. Try and purchase safe nursery furniture with a safety mark of approval.
BURNS
At 6 - 12 months babies grab everything. Always keep hot foods and hot liquids out of baby reach.
Run cold water onto the bath before the hot.
Use placemats instead of tablecloths to prevent baby from pulling hot substances down.
Always use guards in front of open fires and heaters.
Use safety plugs in wall sockets
DROWNING
At this age children love to play in water.
Always empty the bath after use as well as containers filled with water after use.
Make sure the nappy bucket has a lid or keep behind a closed door.
Make use of non-slip mats in the bath.
Never leave a baby alone in the water and always supervise near water.
POISONING
Baby will put every thing into his/her mouth.
Keep all dangerous substances such as medication and household cleaners out of reach.
Use safety latches on cupboard doors, which contains poisonous substances.
Try and use products with child resistant closures. If available.
CHOKING & SUFFOCATION
Do not give baby food that he or she cannot chew. Do not feed the baby hard or big pieces of food.
Keep all small objects such as buttons, beads, coins etc. out of reach.
ROAD SAFETY
Always buckle your baby up in a car seat even for short trips.
Make sure that baby cannot wonder into the road, keep gates closed.
1 - 2 YEARS
At this age children can usually walk, run, climb, jump, and they explore everything. Toddlers are very active and love imitating
others. Children at this age are curious and cannot learn from their mistakes.
INTRODUCTION:
Children under the age of five years are most vulnerable to injuries. Therefore the responsibility of creating a safe
environment for a small child lies with parents and caregivers.
Be aware of your child’s different developmental stages. At certain stages children are prone to certain injuries.
Make sure that you know what to do in case of an emergency.
BIRTH – 6 MONTHS
At this age the baby needs full time care from an adult. The Baby’s ability to roll, move and grasp objects increases rapidly. .
Most injuries in this age group can be prevented. Often accidents happen because parents are not aware of what their baby can
do.
FALLS
Babies wriggle and move and also push against things with their feet.
As a baby starts rolling he/she will be able to fall off everything unless protected.
Do not leave a baby alone on changing tables, beds, sofas or chairs.
Keep cot sides up at all times.
Place baby in a safe place when you cannot hold him for example, cot, playpen, on the floor on a cushion etc.
Babies usually start crawling at six months. Always use safety gates on stairways.
Try and avoid using a baby walker. They enable babies to move quickly and expose them to dangers that they may be
to young too recognize. If using a walker, then constant parental supervision is essential.
CAR SAFETY
Children should be buckled up from his /her first ride in an approved child car seat.
Never travel with a baby on your lap or lying loose on the seat – this is very dangerous, and is a great threat to your
babies life and health.
Follow manufacturer's instructions when installing your baby’s car seat.
BURNS
Never carry your baby and hot liquid or food at the same time.
Always put the cold water in the bath first and check the temperature to prevent scald injuries.
DROWNING
Never leave a small baby alone in the bath.
A small child can drown in ± 5 cm of water within 30 seconds.
CHOKING AND SUFFOCATION
Never leave small objects within your baby’s reach.
Remove bibs before baby sleeps.
Avoid ribbons and cords on sleepwear
Do not use a dummy chain or string around the babies neck when he/she is sleeping
Cot bars should be spaced in such a way so that baby cannot get his /her head through.
Do not use pillows in the cot, they are unnecessary.
POISONING
Always make sure of the correct dosage of medication and read labels .
6 – 12 MONTHS
, During this stage a baby will become more mobile. He/she will crawl and pull on furniture and objects to stand and take his/her
first steps. Everything within reach will also go into the baby’s mouth.
FALLS
Use safety gates on stairways (top and bottom).
Install window guards on all windows.
Always use a harness on highchairs, shopping trolleys and prams.
Make sure that all furniture is stable. Try and purchase safe nursery furniture with a safety mark of approval.
BURNS
At 6 - 12 months babies grab everything. Always keep hot foods and hot liquids out of baby reach.
Run cold water onto the bath before the hot.
Use placemats instead of tablecloths to prevent baby from pulling hot substances down.
Always use guards in front of open fires and heaters.
Use safety plugs in wall sockets
DROWNING
At this age children love to play in water.
Always empty the bath after use as well as containers filled with water after use.
Make sure the nappy bucket has a lid or keep behind a closed door.
Make use of non-slip mats in the bath.
Never leave a baby alone in the water and always supervise near water.
POISONING
Baby will put every thing into his/her mouth.
Keep all dangerous substances such as medication and household cleaners out of reach.
Use safety latches on cupboard doors, which contains poisonous substances.
Try and use products with child resistant closures. If available.
CHOKING & SUFFOCATION
Do not give baby food that he or she cannot chew. Do not feed the baby hard or big pieces of food.
Keep all small objects such as buttons, beads, coins etc. out of reach.
ROAD SAFETY
Always buckle your baby up in a car seat even for short trips.
Make sure that baby cannot wonder into the road, keep gates closed.
1 - 2 YEARS
At this age children can usually walk, run, climb, jump, and they explore everything. Toddlers are very active and love imitating
others. Children at this age are curious and cannot learn from their mistakes.
