Accidents are the leading cause of death among children in the United States who have passed their first month of life, with causes varying by age. For preschool children, most accidents are caused by burns, falls, and poisoning. Most home safety measures, many of which can be taken care of before baby arrives, are fairly simple for parents. Because infants are at risk for scald burns from hot water, parents need to take extra caution when preparing baby's bath. Water heater temperatures should be kept below 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and parents should always check the water themselves before placing the baby in the bathtub.
Poisoning is a leading cause of home-based accidents for ages one to three.
Poisonous materials, including cleaning fluids and detergents, should be kept in a locked cabinet or out of the reach of children. When putting infants to bed, parents should place them on their backs to avoid smothering. The data are pretty clear that that is unnecessary. Smoke detectors are also a good safety measure, and in fact, are required in most homes in the United States. Detectors do not need to be placed in your baby's room, but should be located outside the room in a hallway.