New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection
“The
first years of a baby’s life are filled with many milestones and new
experiences, and parents and caregivers are often working overtime to keep
them safe from harm as they learn and grow,” said former Secretary of State Robert J.
Rodriguez. “While the health and safety of a baby
matters every day, Baby Safety Month is a great time to highlight these
lifesaving tips that can help parents and caregivers create a safe
environment for their little ones.”
“Babies
are so precious and yet so vulnerable,” said New York City Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Suzanne Miles-Gustave.
“In doing their best to provide safe, caring and loving environments for
their growth and development, adults may unwittingly expose children to
situations or products that put them in harm’s way. We are grateful to our
partners at the Division of Consumer Protection for offering these tips and
recognizing their critical importance to maintaining the health and
well-being of our youngest New Yorkers. OCFS also has a number of online
resources for parents and caregivers seeking to learn more about all the ways
they can better protect their families. They can be accessed here: Child
Safety Resources | Child Welfare and Community Services | Office of Children
and Family Services (ny.gov).”
“Nothing is more important than your child’s safety, and that is
especially true when you are away from home,” said NYS Department of Motor Vehicles and Governor’s
Traffic Safety Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder. “Make sure
your baby is secured in a properly installed car seat, and the correct one
for their age and development stage. Never leave your child alone in a car,
not even for a minute. It doesn’t have to feel hot outside to be dangerous
inside a car. The inside of a vehicle can heat up 20 degrees in under 10
minutes and 40 degrees in an hour.”
BABY
SAFETY TIPS:
Practice
Safe Sleep Habits: A new law, The Safe Sleep for Babies Act, bans inclined
sleepers and crib bumpers for babies. This act outlaws the manufacture, sale
or distribution of inclined sleepers and crib bumpers in the U.S. Both
products have been attributed to infant sleep-related deaths, including
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
- Sleep products that incline more than 10 degrees can
restrict a baby’s airway. Never leave your baby sleeping or unsupervised
in rockers, gliders, bouncers, soothers or swings.
- Crib bumpers pose a serious risk as a baby can become
entangled in the ties or material.
According to
the American Academy of Pediatrics, unintentional suffocation is the leading
cause of injury death among infants in the United States, with 82% being
attributable to accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed. Make sure
you always put your baby to sleep on their back to prevent sudden infant
death syndrome.
Safe sleep
is as easy as A, B, C:
Alone, Back and Crib.
A – Alone. Baby should always
sleep Alone.
B – Back. Put baby to sleep on
their Back.
C – Crib. Put baby in a safe Crib.
READ MORE: 5 steps to babyproof your home
Stay
Updated with the Latest Product Recalls:
- Ensure that baby’s crib and all products adhere to
current safety standards as specified by the U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission. Staying updated on the latest product recalls is
vital to protect babies from unsafe products.
- If you purchase used items online, on social media or
in a garage sale, confirm that it’s safe to use. Check these websites
for the latest product recalls regularly: Saferproducts.gov, CPSC.gov,
FDA.gov or sign up for the latest updates from our website. For more
information about the importance of staying updated with marketplace
safety, click here.
Baby
Proof Your Home: Many items in your home can be hazardous. Keep these
dangers out of reach and prevent injuries by following recommended safety
practices. For ideas on how to baby proof your home from dangerous
items, check out these resources:
Protect
Your Baby While on The Go: Under New York State law, all children under
the age of 2 must ride in a rear-facing car seat. It’s important to choose
and use the right car seat correctly. There are resources available that can
help you install your car seat correctly. New York State hosts free car seat
inspection events throughout the year. To find a child safety seat inspection
station or event near you, visit the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety
website here.
Never
Leave Baby Unsupervised in a Car: Heatstroke or deaths in cars occur most
commonly when an adult unintentionally forgets a child who may be quiet or
sleeping in a rear-facing seat. Vehicles heat up fast and stay hot even if
the windows are open, the engine is running or the air conditioning is on.
Rolling down windows or parking in the shade will not safely keep the car
cool. Even on a cloudy day, a car can heat up and become deadly. Click here for more
tips and information about kids and hot cars.
The
New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides resources and
education materials to consumers on product safety, as well as voluntary
mediation services between consumers and businesses. The Consumer Assistance
Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm,
excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time
at www.dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection.
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