12 MONTHS

INJURY PREVENTION:

1. You must take safety to the "next level!" Your adorable newborn is now more "mobile" than ever, so child-proofing, if not done previously, is a priority. Accidents kill more children than all other diseases combined. Get down on the floor at your baby's eye level and see what your toddler can get in to.

2. Remember, there is no such thing as a "child proof" cap. Ask your doctor about having some Syrup of Ipecac (to induce vomiting) in the home. This should be used only after consulting with the poison control center or the baby's physician. Keep the number of the poison control center near the telephone.

3. Do not give your toddler plastic bags, latex balloons, or small objects such as marbles.

4. If you use a mesh playpen or portable crib, the weave should have small openings less than 1/4 inch (6 mm). Never leave your toddler in a mesh playpen or crib with the drop-side down.

5. Bolt bookcases, dressers, or cabinets to the wall.

6. Expect your toddler to sleep through the night in her own bed. Reinforce good sleeping habits. Maintain a regular bedtime routine.

7. One year is the minimum age for riding in a forward-facing car seat. Switch to a forward-facing safety seat if your toddler weighs at least 20 pounds (9 kg). Move the harness straps to the upper slots and install it in the back seat according to the manufacturer's instructions and the vehicle owner's manual. Never place your toddler's safety seat in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger air bag. The back seat is the safest place for children of any age to ride.

8. Be sure that your toddler wears a helmet when riding in a seat on an adult's bicycle. Wear a helmet yourself.

9. If guns are in the house, safety precautions are crucial.

10. Do not leave your 1-year-old alone in a tub of water or on high places such as changing tables, beds, sofas or chairs.

11. Always empty buckets, tubs or small pools immediately after use. Ensure swimming pools have a four-sided fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate. Swimming pools are deadly to children this age.

12. The cupboard under the kitchen sink is very attractive to a baby of this age, so have a lock put on all doors that have cleansers, detergents, bleaches, furniture polish and insecticides behind them.

13. Continue to keep the baby's environment free of smoke. Keep the home and car nonsmoking zones.

14. Check your home for lead poisoning hazards (e.g., chipped lead paint, lead dust, lead water pipes, poorly glazed pottery).

15. Avoid using baby walkers. There is considerable risk of major and minor injury and even death from the use of walkers and there is no clear benefit from their use.

16. If your home uses gas appliances, install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors.

17. Avoid overexposure to the sun and use sunscreen.

18. Do not leave heavy objects or containers of hot liquids on tables with tablecloths that the baby may pull down. Turn pan handles toward the back of the stove. Keep your toddler away from hot stoves, fireplaces, irons, curling irons, and space heaters.

19. Place plastic plugs in electrical sockets.

21. Keep all poisonous substances, medicines, cleaning agents, health and beauty aids, and paints and paint solvents locked in a safe place out of your baby's sight and reach. Never store poisonous substances in empty jars or soda bottles.

22. As soon as you use medicine of any kind, replace the cap and put the bottle out of reach, preferably locked up. Be particularly vigilant when you have visiting grandparents who are not used to watching the medicines that closely.

23. Install gates at the top and bottom of stairs, and place safety devices on windows. Lower the crib mattress.

24. Keep your toddler away from moving machinery, lawn mowers, overhead garage doors, driveways, and streets.

25. Choose caregivers carefully. Talk with them about their attitudes and behavior in relation to discipline. Do not permit corporal punishment.

26. Learn child cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

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