Salt Lake Valley Health Department
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Public Health Nursing
Safety Tips for Infants
In the car
Infant car seats, until a child is year old and 20 pounds, should be rear facing and in the back seat.
Make sure your car seat is installed properly. Read the car seat manufacturer’s instructions and the car owner’s manual for installation instructions.
If you need help call 801-313-6604 to speak to a certified car seat technician.
Use a car seat every time your baby is in the car.
Never leave your baby unattended in a car.
Burns
Never hold or carry an infant while drinking hot liquids.
Never use the microwave to warm formula because it can become very hot in a short period of time
Set water heater thermostat at low. Adjust the thermostat setting on your water heater to produce a water temperature of 120-125 degrees or less.
Protect your baby from house fires by maintaining smoke alarms. Test the batteries twice a year on a date you remember such as daylight savings time.
Sleep
Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, for naps and at night. Place your baby on a firm sleep surface, such as on a safety-approved crib mattress, covered by a fitted sheet. Never place your baby to sleep on pillows, quilts, sheepskins, or other soft surfaces.
Keep soft objects, toys, and loose bedding out of your baby’s sleep area
Think about using a clean, dry pacifier when placing the infant down to sleep, but don't force the baby to take it.
Do not let your baby overheat during sleep. Dress your baby in light sleep clothing, and keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for an adult.
See if the slats of the crib are close enough together by trying to fit the top of a soda pop can through the bars. If the can won’t fit, the crib passes the test.
You shouldn't be able to fit more than two fingers between the sides of the crib and the mattress.
Falls
Keep chairs, cribs and other furniture away from windows.
Don't leave a baby alone on a changing table, bed, couch or other furniture. Keep one hand on the baby while changing diapers.
Always strap a baby into a high chair, swing, changing table or stroller.
Use safety gates or other barriers at the top and bottom of stairs.
Do not use a baby walker.
Choking
Always watch children when they are eating or playing.
If a child is under 3, don't let him or her eat small, round or hard food.
Read any warnings on toys or games. Look for small parts that can choke children.
Check floors and low places for small objects like buttons, beads, marbles, coins, pins and stones.
Put all plastic wrappings or bags where children can't reach them.
Don’t place cribs or playpens next to windows which have pull blinds. Make sure blind cords are out of reach and safety cord stops are installed.
Drowning
Babies and young children can easily drown in bathtubs, buckets or toilets – it can happen in as little as an inch of water, and it can happen very fast.
Never leave a child alone in the tub. Baby bath seats and rings are not meant to prevent drowning.
Keep toilet lids down.
Keep children away from buckets of water. Empty and turn over all buckets as soon as you’re done using them.
Close the doors to bathrooms and utility rooms when not in use.