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Infants and young children depend on their parents to provide a safe and loving environment for them. We educate and empower parents to help keep babies safe from the most common preventable causes of injury or death.
Safe Sleep
Remembering safe sleep steps for babies is as easy as A, B, C, D.
A – Infants should always sleep Alone in their own sleep space such as a crib. There should be no blankets, pillows, bumpers, toys, pets, or other children in their crib.
B – Place infants on their Back for all sleep including naps and nighttime because research shows it is the safest sleeping position for them.
C – Babies should be placed in a Crib, portable crib or play yard, or bassinet with a firm mattress and fitted sheet.
D – Develop a safe sleep plan that describes where your baby will sleep, ways to cope when baby is fussy, and who you or the caregiver can call for help or support if needed.
We have a Safe Sleep Program funded by the Children’s Services Council of Broward County that educates families on safe sleep practices and help families who may not have a safe place for their baby to sleep. Call Connect at 954-567-7174 to learn more about services and resources available. The Safe Sleep Program is funded by the Children’s Services Council of Broward County.
Choosing a Safe Caregiver
Life requires us to sometimes to be away from our children during work and other activities. Choosing a caregiver for our children can be challenging, but there are some steps you can take to make sure your baby is in the best hands possible. Look into the caregiver’s experience, complete a background check on them, and call any references they provide to learn more about them. Observe your child with the potential caregiver and ask questions about their knowledge of important topics such as safe sleep, smoking, how they cope with infant crying or toddler tantrums, and more.
Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome
Shaken Baby Syndrome is deadly and happens as a result of a parent or caregiver violently shaking a baby. We understand that caring for a baby can be as frustrating and exhausting as it is beautiful and enjoyable. We encourage caretakers to learn how to soothe their baby, learn warning signs for when your baby might be sick, and how to properly swaddle the baby for comfort when the baby is awake. It is also important for caretakers to learn how to cope with their frustrations regarding caring for a crying baby.
Water Safety
Water safety is a top priority for families with babies and young children, and drowning is the leading cause of death in children 1-4 years old. Always supervise children in and around the water, including the bathtub, pool, hot tubs, lake, or other areas including buckets of water. There are key safety measures and resources to help make sure children are safe in and around the water.
- Put up a barrier or gate around pools and hot tubs and remove toys from water that will attract children. Install safety alarms on doors that lead outside.
- Children should wear life vests or life jackets when they are in a boat or raft, inner tube, or on a dock near water if they cannot swim or do not have much swimming experience. A responsible adult that can swim should always supervise children around the water.
- Swimming lessons can help prevent drowning incidents. Children ages 4 and older should learn to swim according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Water SMART Broward
- Teach children about water safety and include age-appropriate videos, books, and activities to help them learn. Children can also be taught how to handle an emergency by calling 911 if they find a child in the water. Longfellow’s WHALE Tales Water Safety for Children | Red Cross
- All parents and caregivers should learn how to respond to emergencies, have a plan in place, and learn CPR.
Car Safety
Infants and young children should travel using a car seat for every ride. Always place infants in a rear-facing car safety seat in the back seat of the vehicle and make sure the seat is installed correctly. Never leave your child alone in the car. Keep vehicle doors and their trunks locked so kids cannot climb in and become stuck. Use car seats only when traveling and do not let babies sleep in a car seat when not traveling. Minimize the risk of leaving a child behind in a car by using reminders before leaving and locking the car. Look Before You Lock | Safe Kids Worldwide
Additional Safety Information & Resources
Car Safety: http://www.kidsandcars.org/
Safe Sleep: https://safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov/
Water Safety: http://www.watersmartbroward.org/about/
