Top 5 Tips to Make the Most of Baby Safety Month
Babies are cute…but safe babies are the CUTEST babies!
September is a big month for baby safety…this year marks the 36th annual recognition of Baby Safety Month—and today, September 8th, is National Grandparents Day! September is also Child Cancer Awareness month…and on September 22nd, it’s National Seat Check Saturday!!
In other words, September is ALL about child safety and recognizing those who love babies MOST.
The point of Baby Safety Month is all about reminding consumers of the importance of safe product purchases AND safe homes for infants. And when it comes to consumerism, babies require an AWFUL lot of things—toys, strollers, carriers, cribs, diapers, wipes, food—meaning there are lots of purchases that parents and grandparents have to think twice about before jumping into line at check-out.
…And it’s not just what you buy the baby, either. It’s also what you buy yourself, what you have around the house, and how your home is ultimately set up. Babyproofing can be intimidating, but I’m willing to bet it’s nothing a well-thought-out list can’t help you with…
So, here we go! Here are your Top 5 ways to observe Baby Safety Month this year.
1: Educate yourself
You’re already in the right place, because educating yourself with tip sheets and lists like this one help you see Baby Safety Month as an opportunity. Time gets away from us all…and every September is a GREAT chance to read up on safety recommendations and explore the resources that are out there.
For example, one of the founders of Baby Safety Month (the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association) publishes tool kits and other resources to make sure everyone stays safe! Be sure to check it out…
2: Babyproof your home
This one sounds a LOT more intimidating than it really is. Speaking of tip sheets and lists, take a look at our complimentary babyproofing infographic for a one-stop checklist of things to look at in your home!
Expert tip: a lot of these tips come to getting down to the “baby’s point of view.” You can literally get down on your hands and knees to look around family spaces—take note of outlets, blind cords, small objects, plants and other hazards in the vicinity…and then do something about them!
3: Offer to babysit!
Especially for those grandparents out there (happy National Grandparents Day, by the way!) we ALL know how tired the parents of a newborn can be. Give them what break you can by offering to babysit for a night.
4: Buy a safety-checked little something for the babies you know
If you’re a grandparent always looking for the chance to spoil a grandbaby, or even if you’re a parent who knows other babies who play with your child or are otherwise near and dear to your heart, Baby Safety Month is a GREAT opportunity to get them a little something!! And if you go the extra mile to ensure that it’s an age-appropriate AND totally safe toy, you’ll be the model citizen of Baby Safety Month!!
5: Cook safe
Not only can your kitchen be kept safe with child locks and baby gates, but when the flood gates open and you do have someone toddling around while you cook, be sure pot handles are turned away from the edge of the stove…keep all utensils out of reach, and look both ways before you open that oven!
Back in 1962, Jean Ames invented the first child safety seat (before it was even a law that everyone needed to buckle up)! In 1969, President Nixon signed the Toy Safety Act authorizing the government to test and ban hazardous toys. And by 1985, all states finally had a law on the books requiring the use of car seats.
We’ve made BIG strides in baby safety, and after 36 years of Baby Safety Month, it’s worth celebrating with this easy list of ideas. Be sure to post about #BabySafetyMonth with us on social!! And if you have any other tips to share, let us know! We can always update this resource for next year…
To read more, check this article out.
Bonus, get this free resource!
