Birth to 1 Year
Developmental Stages & Accomplishments
• Babies move more as they grow
• They explore by putting things in their mouths
• Rolling over and crawling begins
- Always place baby on his or her back to sleep, including naps.
- Place baby to sleep on a firm surface such as a mattress in a safety-approved crib, bassinet and play yard covered by a fitted sheet.
- Keep soft objects (like pillows, blankets and sheepskins), toys, crib bumpers and loose bedding out of baby’s sleep area.
- Dress baby in sleep clothing, such as a one-piece sleeper. Make sure nothing covers baby’s head.
- Place baby to sleep in his/her crib alone, next to where parents sleep, NOT on an adult bed, a couch or on a chair with you, or with anyone else.
- Make your home a smoke-free zone! Do not smoke or let anyone smoke around baby.
- Handle baby gently-Never Shake a baby.
- Avoid rough play and throwing baby in the air.
- Know ways to comfort your baby (carry, walk, talk, sing, feed).
- Know coping strategies when dealing with a crying baby. It’s ok to put baby in a safe place and walk away and calm down. Return to baby in a few minutes to comfort.
- Actively supervise children in and around water. Never leave your child unattended around water.
- Once bath time is over, immediately drain the tub.
- Keep toilet lids closed and doors to bathrooms and laundry rooms closed to prevent drowning.
- Make sure home pools have four-sided fencing that is at least four feet high with self-closing, self-latching gates to prevent a child from wandering into the pool area unsupervised.
- Remove distractions (electronic devices, books, conversation with others) when around water.
- Empty buckets, kid pools, and containers with water after each use.
- Always have contact with baby on a counter, changing table or any other raised surface.
- Remember to strap baby when using car seats, high chairs, swings and strollers.
- Place baby carrier on the floor, not on top of tables or furniture.
- Use approved safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs.
- Place your baby’s crib and other furniture away from windows and blinds.
- Install window guards to prevent window falls.
- Baby walkers can be dangerous. Try using a stationary activity center instead.
- Always use an approved car seat when traveling in a vehicle.
- Keep baby rear-facing and in the back seat when traveling in a vehicle.
- Never leave baby alone in, or around a vehicle.
- Install working smoke alarms in all rooms and check every six months. Replace as needed.
- Set your water heater to 120° F and check the water with your wrist before giving baby a bath.
- Heat bottles in warm water and check temperature before feeding. Avoid using microwaves to warm baby food and milk.
- Install safety gates around the stove and oven.
- Place baby in a safe area (play yard) when cooking. Do not hold baby when carrying something hot or when cooking.
- Cover electrical outlets and keep electrical cords out of reach of children.
- Store all medicine up and away and out of reach.
- Store dangerous products out of reach and use safety locks on cabinets.
- Program the Poison Center number (800-222-1222) on your phone contacts
- Keep play and sleep areas free of peeling paint.
- Store guns out of the home, or keep unloaded and locked in a place separate from ammunition
- Teach child never to touch a gun, tell an adult if you see one
- Talk to family and friends about safe gun storage
Additional Tips from The Baby Safety Zone and CPSC
