Every year approximately 2 million children are brought to Accident and Emergency departments with injuries in the UK and Ireland and some will die as a result of their injuries. We have outlined here the main points to be aware of to help you keep your baby safe. 

Travel 

Prams/ Carry Cots 

• Should have a depth of at least 7½’’ / 19 cm if it is being used unattended
• Should have a solid base and good ventilation 
• Should have a brand new mattress that fits perfectly to the carrycot
• Should have a carry handle or handles that you can hold with one hand in the case of a fall you have your other hand to protect yourself and the baby 
• Carry as little as possible in the pram. Pillows, for example, can cause instability and pose a suffocation risk. 

Pushchairs/Buggies 

• Harness should secure both shoulders, go around the waist, and between legs 
• Swivel wheels provide better maneuverability and tracking. 
• LINK brakes are better as they lock both back wheels by means of a single lever. 
• Buggies need the main locking device and secondary locking unit acting directly on the folding mechanism. 
• Make sure all safety locks are on before putting your baby in 
• As your child grows and becomes more mobile, teach them not to stand up or lean out of the pram or stroller 

Most accidents happen when children fall out! 

Car Seats 

• Babies should be transported in a car seat for every car journey 
• It is not safe to carry a baby on your lap or to put an adult seatbelt around a child and yourself 
• Electric windows can be dangerous to toddlers 
• You might think sure I am only driving for 10 mins what could happen! but Most accidents happen within the first 5 minutes of leaving home  
• Children should NEVER travel with no restraints whatsoever 
• Newborns should NEVER be kept in a car seat for prolonged periods 
• Check it fits 
• Manufacturers recommend that a trained retailer ensures the car seat is compatible with your car 

ECE R129

• i-Size is a new regulation for child car seats that will run in parallel to the current regulation (ECE R44/04) for the next few years. It has been in force since July 9th, 2013. We were a major contributor to its development and believe that it will greatly increase protection for little ones across Europe. 
• ECE R129 (i-Size)
• Classification based on child’s height (in cm)
• A child must rear-face to a minimum of 15 months
• No groups
• Can only be used for ISOFIX
• Rear, front and side impact testing
• Q dummy used in crash tests with 32 sensors

ECE R44/04

• Categorized by groups (Group 0+, 1, 2, 3)
• A child can be forward-facing from 9kg
• Can be used for seatbelt or ISOFIX seats
• Rear and front impact testing
• Rear, front, and side impact testing
• P dummy used in crash tests with 4 sensors

GROUPS

• GROUP 0/0+ (Birth to 13Kg) are rearward-facing in the front or back seat of the car and are held in place by an adult lap and diagonal seatbelt or Isofix system. Must never be used in the front of the passenger seat with an active airbag 
• GROUP 1 (9 to 18Kg): Two-way car seats, go rearward facing from birth to 9/13Kg and forward-facing from 9Kg to 18Kg. Use in the rear seat. Secure with lap and diagonal belt or Isofix system. Extended rearward-facing group from 6 months up to 7 years (25kg) 
• By law, under legislation S.I. No. 240/2006 - Safety Belts and Child Restraint Systems in Motor Vehicles. All children under 150 cm in height or 36kgs (79 lbs.) in weight must use a child restraint system (CRS) suitable for their height and weight while traveling in a car or goods vehicle (other than a taxi). 

Slings 

• Most accidents happen when a parent falls 
• Wear sensible shoes 
• Don’t cook while carrying the baby in a sling 
• Familiarize yourself with the different buckles and straps before using it for the first time 

SLEEPING 

Mattresses  

• Rule of thumb never use a second-hand mattress even if it is from an older sibling, study's have shown that perspiration that cannot be seen on a mattress can contribute to SIDS 
• Moses and crib mattress should be at least 3.5cm to 5cm in depth. Must fit properly, no bends or gaps and fitted sheets work better than flat sheets 
• Cot mattresses will be used for 2 to 3 years. Make sure it is a good firm one. Sprung and pocket-sprung are good choices 
• Cotbed mattresses will be used for up to 6 years, again a good firm one like a pocket sprung works really well as the child gets heavier, they are less likely to feel the springs poking through 
• Natural fibre mattresses work really well for children who suffer from allergies 

MOSES BASKET 

• Look out for sharp ends on hard wicker baskets 
• Ensure that fingers cannot be crushed between hard handles and basket 
• Material cover should be one single piece of material covering the sides and floor of the basket 
• Never use a second-hand mattress even between siblings 
• Where possible only use cotton cellular blankets or Gro bags with the right tog to suit the room temperature 

Cots 

• Must have minimum depth 23½’’/59 cm 
• Round bars should not be more than 2.3’’/6cm apart 
• Flat bar no more than 2.9’’/7.5cm apart 
• The gap between the mattress base and sides should not be more than 1’’/2.5cm apart 
• Avoid horizontal bars and sharp edges 
• If your cot has 4 wheels you must be able to lock at least 2 
• If you have an old-style cot that has drop sides always remember to pull the sides back up when the baby is in it. 
• Cot mattress should fit well 
• There should be a space of no more than 1½’’/4 cm 
• Fiber and sprung interior mattresses are firmer and cooler to sleep on than foam plus foam will indent at some stage and will have to be replaced 
• Babies under a year do not need pillows 

Cot Bumpers & Toys 

• Make sure that string and ties are no more than 8’’/20 cm 
• Remove bumpers and large toys which aid older children to climb out 
• Use Specific toys that have a safety strap that allows you to secure it safely to the cot 

Reducing the risk of cot death 

• Lay your baby to sleep on his/her back 
• Do not allow the baby to get too warm 
• Ideal temperature of the baby’s room is 18°C/65°F 
• Do not smoke or let anyone smoke near your baby 
• Do not bring a baby into smoky rooms 
• Never reuse a mattress even if it belongs to a sibling 

In the nursery 

• Avoid cords on curtains or blinds 
• Keep the cot well clear of heaters and flex from lamps, windows and cupboards 
• Keep electrical wires out of reach 

HOUSEHOLD 

Baths 

• Never leave your baby unattended in a bath 
• Scalding is the most common cause of accidents- Put cold water in first 

Bouncing Cradles 

• Suitable from birth 
• Most accidents happen when they fall off a raised surface e.g. table/worktop 

Travel Cots/Play Pens 

• Should be 2ft/60 cm deep 
• Mesh should be very fine so it cannot trap fingers or buttons 
• The top padded rail should be covered 
• Never add an additional mattress to a travel cot as it will reduce the safety depth 

HIGH CHAIRS 

• Most serious accidents happen when children fall out 
• Use a harness that goes over both shoulders 
• When positioned at the table be aware of hot drinks and sharp objects 
• If your highchair has wheels make sure they are locked at all times 

Baby Walkers 

• Cause more accidental injuries than any other single item of equipment. Even going over the saddle board can cause these to topple over and studies indicate they hinder rather than help with their development 

Stair Gates 

• These act as a barrier to prevent your child from falling downstairs but they will also fit into doorways 
• Always buy ones that have a secondary locking device  

Poisoning 

• Poisoning in the home peaks most between ages 1-3. 
• The most common substances are medicines, bleach, detergents, weed-killer, etc 
• Get medicines in child-resistant containers (CRCs) and store them in securely locked cupboards 
• Keep scented oil diffusers up well away from little hands 

Fire Guards 

• These should have a top as well as sides and hooks to enable them to be fixed to the wall 
• Cooker Guards/ Electric sockets/ guards/ Kettle Guards/ Cupboard locks are all necessities in every home