Safety First

Received this as a handout from HeadStart and found it interesting.


Choose Clean Air
    Everyone knows that smoking is bad for smokers but did not know breathing  in someone else's cigarette, pipe or cigar smoke can make you and your children sick.  Children who live in homes where people smoke may get sick more often with coughs, wheezing, ear infections, bronchitis or pneumonia.  Children with asthma may have attacks that are more severe or occur more often.  Second hand smoke also can cause lung cancer and heart disease.  The U.S. Surgeon General says that second hand smoke can cause Sudden Infant Death syndrome, (SIDS).
Source: Environmental Protection Agency; www.epa.gov/smokefree

Seasonal Safety Tips
    The holiday season is a special time for friends and family. Baking, decorating and shopping all blends to make the season happy and bright.  Here are some tips from the National Safe Kids Campaign for keeping your holiday season joyous and safe!
    When you are selecting toys consider the child's age, interest and skill level. Small toys or game pieces may present a choking hazard to children under age 3.  When wrapping gifts, keep ribbon supplies away from young children. A 7-inch piece of ribbon or string can strangle a child.   When baking and cooking, keep young children at least 3 feet away from the stove area.  When decorating with lights, be sure to use indoor lights inside and outdoor lights outside.  Check all electrical wiring carefully for any fraying or damage. Keep sharp or breakable glass ornaments out of children's reach.
Source: National Safe Kids Campaign, www.safekids.org


Crib Safety
    For infants who are less than 12 months of age, follow these practices to reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and prevent suffocation.  No more than 2 3/8 inches between crib slats so a baby's body cannot fit through the slats.  Drop-side cribs are no longer recommended, due to entrapment and fall hazards.
    Place baby on his/her back in a crib with a firm, tight-fitting mattress. Do not put pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskin, pillow-like bumper pads or pillow-like stuffed toys in the crib. Use only a fitted bottom sheet specifically made for crib use. If you do use a blanket, place your baby with feet to foot of the crib. Tuck a thin blanket around the crib mattress, covering baby only as high as his/her chest.
Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission, www.cpsc.gov