Even before they come into the world, you know there’s nothing you wouldn’t do to keep your child safe. You seek out advice from medical professionals and safety experts. You do your research. You set up safeguards in your home and vehicle, but may still be anxious that you’ve overlooked something. Since September is Baby Safety Month, this is a great time to review a few best practices to help keep your child safe. Baby Safety Month was first started by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) in 1984.
Here are some tips and resources to keep top of mind during Baby Safety Month:
- Make sure your car seat is installed correctly. Schedule a video installation appointment with our certified car seat technicians at ParentLink. Additionally, you can find a local technician via the National Child Passenger Safety Certification website. You can be sure even the tiniest of riders will be secure in the Shyft™ DualRide™ Infant Car Seat Stroller Combo as it fits infants as small as 3 lb and up to 35 lb, who measure from 15.7 in. to 32 in. With Shyft DualRide, the LockStrong™ Installation and Quick Connectors offer solid, secure installation in no time.
- Ensure your baby proofing is up to date. Our Virtual Baby Proofing Kit Builder is available for you to identify potential troublespots in each room and customize a kit with necessary items to help keep your tiny explorer out of trouble! By taking these simple steps, you can create a safer environment for your baby to explore and grow. Remember, baby proofing is an ongoing process, so be sure to reevaluate and update as your baby becomes more mobile.
- Keep mealtimes safe and easy. There’s not one "correct" answer to when you should start introducing your child to solid foods, because every child is different. Here are some tips that can help determine the right time! Dining with your little one can be messy — especially as they’re getting used to solid foods. But you can bring a comfortable and secure seating option along for every mealtime with your kiddo to make sure things run smoothly! For children 6 months and older, our high chairs and booster chairs provide a safe and easy mealtime solution.
- Practice safe sleep. Sleep is one of the most basic necessities! Remember your ABCs. Babies should always sleep alone, on their back and in a crib. Also, car seats are designed to protect infants during travel, not for long–term sleep. Here are a few tips to help you make your infant’s sleep time a little safer.
- Establish an emergency plan. Know your family care providers' names and contact information. Make sure your insurance information is up to date and readily accessible. Decide on emergency contacts and have their phone numbers memorized. It can be helpful to maintain all of this information in a secure location that you and your family members have access to if and when needed.
Always use the CDC as a resource to learn more about baby safety and updated regulations. If you have questions about your child’s specific safety needs, please reach out to their primary care provider or pediatrician.