Safety checklist

Safety checklist

  • Put your baby's car seat in the back seat. Make sure your baby rides facing the rear window.
  • Make sure the slats of your baby's crib are no more than 2 3/8 inches apart and that the mattress fits snugly. Do not use soft or fluffy bedding or pillows.
  • Put your baby to sleep on their back.
  • Have your baby sleep on a firm mattress. Don't put stuffed animals or toys in the crib.
  • Keep your baby away from fires, hot water, stoves and other hot objects.
  • Never hold your baby and a hot drink at the same time.
  • Turn your hot water heater down to 120 F.
  • Do not let anyone smoke in your house or car.
  • Use properly working smoke detectors in your house. Test your smoke detectors and change the batteries when daylight savings time begins and ends.
  • Put a carbon monoxide detector near the furnace and another one near where your baby sleeps.
  • Never leave your baby alone near water or on a high surface, such as a changing table, even for a second. Even if you think your baby can't rollover, assume your baby can.
  • Never leave your baby alone in a car or with young siblings or pets.
  • Never place a string, necklace, or pacifier attached to a string or cord around your baby's neck.
  • Never give your baby toys or objects with small parts.
  • Put a towel or receiving blanket on the bottom of the bathtub to keep your baby from slipping.

Source: Allina Health Patient Education, Beginnings: Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond, eighth edition, ob-ah-90026
First Published: 10/04/2002
Last Reviewed: 12/06/2021