Safety is a concern of every parent. Some statistics suggest that the most common cause of childhood death is accidents. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to help keep your newborn baby safe.

First, it is important that you choose a safe crib for your newborn. The crib should not have any more space than 2 and a half inches between the bars. The crib mattress needs to be firm and should fit snugly inside of the crib. Keep the crib away from drafts or from windows. Keep any items that your baby could choke on or be suffocated by, such as thick blankets, stuffed animals, or pillows out of the crib.

When your baby sleeps, always make sure that you place him on his back. Side-sleeping is not recommended, and belly-sleeping is strongly advised against. Sleeping on the back is one of the best ways to avoid SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Also, never leave your baby unattended on a bed, or put her on a waterbed.

You should also be cautious about what sort of car seat you use and how you use it. Make sure that the car seat you have is proscribed for newborns. Make sure to use a rear facing car seat until your baby is around a year old, or weighs at least 20 pounds. Never put your baby’s car seat in the front seat of a vehicle.

Watch out for other baby equipment. If your stroller is used, for example, check the government’s web site or the manufacturer’s web site to make sure that the particular item has not been recalled for safety reasons.

Because house fires are a leading risk for everyone, and because your newborn has no way to exit a burning house on his own, make sure that your fire detectors are functioning and have fresh batteries. If you don’t have fire extinguishers, get them. Use sleepwear that is known to be flame retardant.

By following these major guidelines, you will avoid many of the common safety hazards that involve your newborn.

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