Safety seats

8 out of 10 kids in child safety seats are not properly bucked in. Don't take a chance with your child's safety. Have your seat inspected.

Vehicle crashes kill more kids than any other cause. With or without LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren), proper car seat installation is vital to keeping your children protected. Certified inspectors are available to check your seat and to help you make sure your children are buckled in properly. To find a car seat inspection location near you, call toll free or log on today.

Wisdom For New Moms

You...who?  "This is a little thing, but it goes a long way: Remember to introduce yourself by your name, not as 'so-and so's mom ' . I meet so many women at mothers' groups who never use their own names! Avoiding that habit has helped me remember I'm still a person in my own right."

            

Baby safety Tips

As you prepare your home for your precious newborn, you've probably got more questions than answers about how to keep your baby safe. Here's an easy-to-follow check list of precautions you can begin to take, starting now.

Your baby's bed
Avoid old, used or borrowed cribs which might have loose parts or pieces and crib slats that might pose a strangling hazard. (See box for important crib safety specifications.)       read more...

Changing, dressing
●Always use the safety belt on your baby's changing table and never leave him unattended.
●Never place necklaces or string around your baby's neck, even to hold a pacifier in place. Babies can strangle on these.
●Remove drawstrings from all clothing items.
●Make hand washing a routine part of your baby's care - before holding and feeding and after diapering, for example, to help protect your baby, and the rest of your family, from infections and illness.

Venturing out
●Keep babies under six months old out of direct sunlight.
●For any baby over six months old, when outside in the sun, use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15, have him wear a hat and use an umbrella or canopy for shade.
●Always use a property installed, rearfacing infant safety seat in the back seat of any vehicle that your baby will be riding in. And never, not even for a minute, leave your baby unattended in a vehicle. Your baby's healthcare provider and your local hospital can give you more information and local resources.

All around the house
●Use safety gates at both the top and bottom of stairs
●Never place your baby in an infant walker as they pose many dangers.
●Place plug protectors, outlet covers and outlet plates on all electrical outlets and surge protectors
●Make sure window guards are securely in place on all windows
●Place window curtain, blinds or drapery cords out of your baby's reach.
●Cut all loops on cords as they can act as a noose
●Use safety netting on balconies, decks and landings
●Cover any sharp edges with corner bumpers or padding
●Take a "Plan Patrol" around your house, yard and neighbourhood to make sure there are no poisonous plants accessible to your baby.
●Take precautions to keep your baby away from fire places, grills, heaters and irons.
●Place safety latches and locks on all cabinets and drawers that contain dangerous or poisonous items
●Lock up and keep off limits power equipment, tools and chemicals stored in the garage and basement
●Make sure garage door openers have an automatic reversing mechanism in place
●Install smoke alarm outside every bedroom, test them monthly and replace batteries at least once a year. Many people change batteries when they turn their clocks ahead for daylight saving time
●Do regular scans of your home to keep any sharp or dangerous items out of your growing baby's reach. Keep a particular look out for small objects that can cause choking of suffocation such as small toys or toy parts, batteries, buttons, pins, coins, marbles, plastic bags as well as balloons. Also, keep purses and briefcases out of reach
●Follow manufactures' age recommendations when choosing toys and teach older children to guard small parts when playing and to pick up and put away all their toys when finished.
●Ask your baby's healthcare provider about lead poisoning and prevention in your home and when your baby should be tested

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