Safety Sites
JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association)
Safe Kids
Baby Saver Product Safety Alert
The Danny Foundation Crib and Child Product Safety
Toy Industry Association
Criminal Check
Choking Infant UNDER 1 Year of Age
Choking Infant OVER 1 Year
Child Proof with Confidence
Consent for Treatment of a Minor (Need Adobe Acrobat)
Safety Check List
Clear all surfaces at or below your chest.
Cover outlets with plug covers that look like an outlet, but have to be twisted to work.
Consider rubber stoppers for the top of doors, so they only close a bit and baby�s little fingers won't get pinched. Or place a cloth diaper over the top to keep baby from getting hurt when shutting the door.
Install magnetic cabinet and drawer locks (harder for little ones to figure out how to open).
Install doorknob covers stop your toddler from being able to open the door and run out.
Lock any potentially dangerous substance in an upper-level cabinet. This includes alcoholic beverages, household cleaning formulas, laundry supplies, medications (including nonprescription varieties like vitamins, children's Tylenol or Advil), paint, kerosene, gasoline, charcoal, lighter fluid, bug spray, pesticides, and fertilizers.
Get toilet seat lid locks.
Cover tub faucet with soft-inflated cover to protect baby�s head in the bath.
Install a deadbolt/chain at the top of exterior doors, so there won�t be any escapes.
Use window guards and safety netting to help prevent falls from windows, balconies, decks, and landings.
Install guards on sharp table corners and fireplace edges. (Place screened barriers around fireplaces, radiators, and portable space heaters.)
Secure bookshelves, entertainment centers, and bureaus to walls since they can topple onto children who use furniture to pull up and stand.
Install baby gates (especially near stairs). Mesh gates are less likely to cause injury to the baby and work well for large doorways. You might want to install hardware-mounted safety gates since some pressure-mounted models may not be strong enough.
Get a simple TV button cover that covers all the controls. While you are at it, make sure the TV cart/shelf is secure and can�t be tipped over.
Keep appliance cords wrapped short so children cannot pull coffee makers, toasters, and other appliances.
Secure oven door with an appliance latch and cover knobs with safety covers.
Remember, tablecloths or placemats are almost guaranteed to make a child want to pull them -- and what's on them -- down.
Remove mobiles and other hanging toys from the crib as soon as your child can reach up and touch them.
Remove the crib bumper pad as soon as your infant can get up on all fours since baby may use it as a step to climb out.
Shorten drapery and blind cords.
Learn which plants are safe, and which aren�t.
Take a good look at the floor for small objects whenever you enter a room.
And some things we might not think about �
Always keep your purse � and other visitors� purses -- out of reach.
Put non-slip pads under area rugs that don't have non-slip backs.
Set your water heater no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Install carbon monoxide detectors if you use gas or oil heat, or have an attached garage.
Install and maintain working smoke detectors; check monthly.
Keep a fire extinguisher on hand.
Plan a fire escape route.
Assemble a first-aid kit for babies.
Post-emergency numbers next to your telephone.
Never leave coins or anything small enough to fit in a toilet paper tube for children to grab (and taste!)
Drill breathing holes into any trunk you are using as a toy box in case a child gets trapped inside. (And install safety hinges on toy boxes, or buy one with a removable lid to prevent pinched fingers.)
Always turn pot handles toward back of stove.
Car Seat Information
Carseat Compatibility Database
American Academy of Pediatrics: 2004 Car Safety Seats Guide for Families
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Child Safety Seat Inspection Station Locator
Carseat Recalls and Replacement Parts
ParentsPlace Car Seat Board FAQ
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Car Seat
In early 2004, in a surprise announcement, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a press release reversing a position - held for many years - on discontinuing the use of safety seats involved in all types of vehicle collisions, no matter how minor. They now recommend that if the safety seat and door next to the seat were not visibly damaged, the air bag was not deployed, no one was injured and the car can be driven, the safety seat does not need to be replaced. ALL this criteria must be met, however. NHTSA cited two studies about low impact collisions to support this change. These studies show that safety seats can be subjected to certain types of low speed collisions. The reason given for the change was to prevent parents from refusing to use safety seats involved in minor collisions, which may leave the child without any seat to use either initially or permanently. Not all car seat safety advocates agree with this change. NHTSA is open to any information and data that would support a contradiction to their new position. Car Seat Safety News Flash
Thread about Car Seats
Thread about Car Seats
Please e-mail me with the link if you want more sites listed.
July 8, 2004
