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BABY SAFE SUMMER
MAKE YOUR SUMMER BABY SAFE
TAKE CARE TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES
Keeping babies and toddlers safe during the warm weather involves some extra care that can dramatically change the
outcome of accidents or emergencies. There are some ways you can make your summer baby safe this year. Your American Red Cross encourages you to take special care of little ones by following our safety tips.
With a baby or young child in your family, nothing is more important than safety. Parents and caregivers can take
special care of babies and children this time of year to protect them from accidents or injuries. Toddlers are naturally inquisitive and often spend a lot of time climbing. Open
windows and open spaces during the summer can dramatically increase their risk of falling or drowning. Warm weather precautions, including constant supervision, are vitally
important in preventing accidents. To keep babies and small children safe:
- Children may be susceptible to injuries during the warm weather, as they spend their time learning and
exploring in the great outdoors. Your ability to administer First Aid and CPR could save a child's life. Take an American Red Cross course in First Aid and Infant/Child CPR. Make sure that others caring for your
children are certified as well. Contact our chapter for more information.
- Use window guards and only open windows from the top.
- Always supervise children in or near water.
- Being prepared for emergencies. Take an American Red Cross course in First Aid and Infant/Child CPR. Make
sure that others caring for your children are certified as well.
- Keep emergency numbers on your cell phone speed dial. Call the poison control center if you think a child has been poisoned.
- Use gates on areas that are often left open. Put baby gates at the top and bottom of staircases. Be sure
there are no spaces in which a child's head or fingers could become trapped or pinched. The gates or slats on baby gates should be less that 4 1/4" apart.
- NEVER leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles. Temperatures inside a closed vehicle can reach over
140 degrees F within minutes. Exposure to such high temperatures can kill in minutes.
- With lots of family trips this time of year, always use child safety seats in the car.
- Never keep guns in any child care setting.
- Use gates on areas that are often left open. Put baby gates at the top and bottom of staircases. Be sure
there are no spaces in which a child's head or fingers could become trapped or pinched. The gates or slats on baby gates should be less that 4 1/4" apart.
- Use safe playgrounds. Monitor small children while they are climbing.
- Carry a First Aid kit with you - you'll never know when you might need it.
Include sunblock, too, checking with your doctor on use for babies less than 6 months old.
- Beware of dogs and other animals outside, and keep close watch of your
children even with mild-mannered four-legged friends. Small children need to learn how to pet animals and it will be some time before they understand how to do that.
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