SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is the unexplained death, usually during sleep, of a seemingly healthy baby less than a year old. It is also known as crib death because the babies often die in their cribs.

Researchers have discovered some factors that might put babies at extra risk. They've also identified measures you can take to help protect your child from SIDS.

Parents commonly fear endlessly about how to protect their children from stranger kidnapping and violence, but many overlook one of the biggest threats to their children's safety and welfare — their own home. Yes, your children have the highest risk of being injured at home because that's where they spend most of their time. As a matter of fact, accidental injury is the leading cause of death in children up to 14 years old and more than a third of these injuries happen at home.

 

Thus, childproofing our home is significant in keeping our precious one safe and far from harm. And this should be observed not only in the nursery and playroom but also in places like the bathroom, kitchen, dining area, staircase, living room, rails, electrical, furniture, flooring, and others. But we must understand that childproofing should not start when the baby is already mobile instead it should start from the moment that we know that we are already expecting to have one.

 

And here are some additional recommendations about what you need to do to keep your baby safe at home.

 

Get down on baby’s level

 

To start, we need to identify first the potential hazards inside our household and how to move them away from our children’s path. Ask yourself: When was the last time you crawled around your home on your hands and knees? As strange as it sounds, gives it a go.  Yes, parents should get down on their knees and hands and start walking to see everything in your child’s eyes and perspective, in short, have a crawling tour of your own to your home. From here you will be able to identify the possible hazards that they may encounter in the future.

 

 

Put slam stoppers on doors

 

Children under 5 are particularly the victims of jammed finger injuries. And when children get their fingers jammed in some doors and hinges, they may end up with crushed, fractured and even amputated fingers. The hinge side of the door often causes the worst injuries, especially for children aged 1-2 years. Older children tend to hurt themselves more often in the opening or handle side of the door. In order to avoid this kind of accident, a door slam stopper is essential.

 

Cover outlets

 

There are different types of outlet covers that you can purchase and use. Some are decorative, some guards against water from kitchen and bathroom sinks and there is some that doubles as power strips and for multipurpose. Covering outlets whether it is indoor or outdoor could actually protect infants from electrocution. which may cause harm or even death to our loved ones.

 

Follow the "Toilet Paper Rule"

 

Babies love to put anything they grasp into their mouth so we need to safeguard the things that actually get into their hands such as food, toys, accessories etc. Toilet paper rule means anything that could actually pass into the hole of the toilet paper tube could be considered hazardous to our precious kids because this may cause choking thus MUST be kept away from their reach.

 

Secure all stairways

 

Could you imagine your child crawling into the head or the foot of the stairs? What would be the great hazard it may bring? Yeah, you are right, your child might fall! There is indeed a need to put gates at both ends of the staircase to prevent children in crawling up and down in the staircase which might bring great hazard to them.

 

Keep bedrooms safe for sleeping

 

There are many things to baby proof our baby’s room and here are some tips to consider. Is your crib suitable for your child’s need and age? Does it comply with the safety standards? You can get more information from the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association or go to jpma.org then click on Consumer, and proceed to Keep Baby Safe. You must also remember that your child below six months old could potentially be suffocated by beddings such as pillows, blankets, as well as stuffed animals so you must be very vigilant in keeping them on watch until they reach their toddlerhood. Also, follow the safe position of the baby in their sleep to avoid Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).   

 

Watch them closely

 

Infants, toddlers, and children should not be left alone as they need constant supervision. Whether you have a phone call, the sudden presence of visitors and any other circumstance, you need to be sure that you’ll take them with you because leaving them even for a short time could bring potential harm like drowning, choking, falling, electrocution and others.