1000 SW Jackson
Suite 230
Topeka, KS 66612-1274
(785) 296-1223
(785) 296-8645 (FAX)

Coordinator:
Jan Stegelman

Executive Committee:
Randall Bolin
NHTSA Region VII

Dennis Cooley, MD
Medical Advisor
American Academy of
Pediatrics, Kansas
Chapter

John Drees
Douglas County
SAFE KIDS Coalition

Vanda Easley
State Farm Insurance
Companies

Jim Keating
Kansas State
Firefighters Association

Elena Nuss
Kansas State
Fire Marshal's Office

Cindy Samuelson
Kansas Hospital Association

Kansas SAFEKIDS Celebrates National Baby Safety Month with Guidelines for Parents and Caregivers

Fragile, helpless and innocent, that's how most parents would describe their newborns as they enter the world. From the moment they leave the hospital, they take precautions to keep their children safe and secure. Most adults understand the importance of buckling her into a rear-facing child safety seat, cautiously checking the bath temperature or tucking her into a brand-new crib, one with a label that guarantees it meets national safety standards. But are there other everyday dangers that could put children at risk? September is National Baby Safety Month, and Kansas SAFE KIDS is helping parents make a baby's first months injury-free.

" When parents think of dangers to their babies, they often forget the ones lurking closest to home," said Jan Stegelman, Coordinator, Kansas SAFE KIDS . "Items as seemingly innocent as the bathroom faucet or the loose button on your shirt suddenly take on a greater significance when you have an infant in your care. Even products designed to cradle or entertain your child can prove dangerous."

Parents are responsible for creating an appropriate environment for their infant. Though it's easy for parents to view their home as a safe haven for the new arrival, it does have the potential for danger. Babies face a list of potential injuries - including choking, drowning, falls, poisoning and burns - that can overwhelm even the most cautious parents. Luckily parents don't need to rely on intuition when preparing to bring baby home. These proven tips from the Kansas SAFE KIDS Coalition will help them keep babies safe and sound:

Eliminate potential hazards:

• Buy a crib that meets all current national safety standards. Corner posts should be 1/16 inch or shorter. Distance between crib slats should be 2 3/8 inches or less, to avoid entrapment. The mattress should fit securely in the crib (no more than two fingers of space between crib and mattress) and be free of all plastic wrappings.
• Buy only age-appropriate toys for your baby. Small toys and toy parts can choke infants.
• Never leave infants unattended near sinks, tubs, buckets or other containers. Empty all containers immediately after use, and store them upside down.

Prepare your home:

• Set your water heater's thermostat at 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Check the water temperature before placing your child in the water.
• Install and maintain smoke alarms (outside bedrooms and on every floor) and carbon monoxide detectors (in every sleeping area) in your home.
• Install safety guards on windows. Never place a crib or other furniture near a window. Consider using cordless window coverings to avoid strangulation hazards posed by drapery and blind cords.

Practice safety:

• Use a child safety seat on every ride. Infants should ride in rear-facing child safety seats in a back seat until they are at least 1 year old and at least 20 pounds. Never place a rear-facing infant in the front seat of a car equipped with an active airbag. Have an expert check your baby's seat for proper installation at a SAFE KIDS BUCKLE UP Car Seat Check Up or another event in your community.
• Never leave your baby unattended in or near water, even for a second. Don't rely on bathtub rings or other devices to keep your baby afloat.
• Always check bath water for "hot spots" by moving your hand back and forth through the water.

For more suggestions and information on child safety, or to order a copy of SAFE KIDS magazine with more tips on keeping your kids safe, visit www.safekids.org or contact Kansas SAFE KIDS at 785-296-1223

Kansas SAFE KIDS, Inc. is a nonprofit Coalition of 67 statewide organizations and businesses dedicated to preventing unintentional injuries to Kansas children ages 0-14. Local coalitions and chapters are located in Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Clay, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Ford, Franklin, Geary, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Marion, Montgomery, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Republic, Rice, Saline, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, and Woodson Counties, as well as Chanute, Leavenworth, Manhattan, Norton, Pittsburg, and Wichita.