Babies: safety

CPR for babies under 12 months: in pictures See how to do baby CPR. 1. Check for danger. 2. Check response. 3. Send for help. 4. Check airway and breathing. 5. Start compressions and rescue breaths. Child safety at home is about supervision, a safe environment, and teaching children about what is and isn’t safe. It’s important to know first aid and CPR. Indoor safety at home: in pictures This illustrated guide to child safety at home indoors has information on smoke detectors, safety glass, poisons, safety gates, sharp items and blind cords. Foreign objects in children’s noses, ears, eyes and mouths To stop children from inserting, swallowing or choking on foreign objects, keep them out of sight and reach of children. Get medical help for stuck objects. Button battery safety and risk prevention for children Button battery ingestion can cause serious injuries to children. Reduce risk by keeping button batteries and products that contain them away from children. Small strong magnets can cause serious injuries if your child inserts or swallows them. If this happens, call 000. Dispose of these magnets safely. Safety around doors and hinges Cupboards, doors and door hinges can hurt children’s fingers. Finger protection strips and door guards can help your child avoid a jammed finger. Read more. Preventing falls for babies and young children Falls prevention for babies and young children is about adjusting their home and play environment so it’s safe as they grow. Close supervision is also key. Dogs and children: preventing child injuries Dogs can be great family pets. For safety, children need constant, close supervision near dogs. Here’s how to prevent dog bites and other injuries. Childhood injuries: common causes and prevention Closely supervising your child is the best way to prevent common childhood injuries. You can also make your home safe and do first aid training. New baby checklist: home and baby equipment Getting baby equipment and preparing your home for your baby can be exciting. Our baby checklist goes through the essentials so you don’t break the bank. Safe baby furniture and baby equipment protects your baby. When choosing cots, highchairs, change tables, safety gates and more, check for AS/NZS standards. Safe cots, portacots and mattresses Safe cots and portacots meet the Australian Infant Sleep Products Safety Standard 2024. Safe mattresses are firm, flat, level, well-fitting and clean. Baby carriers, slings and backpacks: safety guide When choosing a baby carrier, sling or backpack, look for healthy hip positioning. Use the T.I.C.K.S. rule to position babies safely in slings or carriers. Prams and strollers: safety guide Pram and stroller safety essentials are the AS/NZS 2088 label, a sturdy frame, a 5-point harness and a wrist tether strap. Put on the brake when you stop. Baby breathing monitors: frequently asked questions Baby breathing monitors sound an alarm if a baby stops breathing. Health professionals can help you decide whether you need a baby breathing monitor. Preventing drowning in the bath Drowning is a serious risk for babies and children at bath time. You can prevent drowning in the bath by supervising your child in the bath at all times. Safe bath temperature: babies and children A safe baby bath temperature is between 37°C and 38°C. This goes for older children too. Reduce scalding risk by lowering the temperature of water from taps. Close adult supervision at all times is the key to drowning prevention and water safety for kids around dams, ponds, swimming pools, beaches and lakes. Supervision is the key to swimming pool safety for children. Also, Australian law says all outdoor swimming pools must have well maintained pool fences. Baby airway protection during sleep, travel, play and feeding To protect baby airways, check face, nose, mouth, chin, neck, chest and tummy. Check airways in sleep and feeding environments, cars, prams and baby carriers. If a baby is choking, phone 000. If a child or teen is choking, get them to cough. If this doesn’t clear the blockage, phone 000. Read more choking first aid. Choking prevention and choking risks Choking hazards for babies and children include anything smaller than a 20-cent coin. Cut food into small pieces and keep small objects away from children. Choking first aid for babies under 12 months: in pictures See what to do if a baby is choking. Phone 000 for an ambulance. Lay baby down and start with back blows. Do chest thrusts if the blockage doesn’t clear. Preventing strangulation and suffocation Child suffocation and strangulation risks include baby equipment, bedding, clothing, blind cords, and plastic bags. Simple precautions can reduce risk. First aid for burns and scalds starts with checking how bad the burn is. If you’re not sure, get medical help. Also treat the burn with cool running water. Burns and scalds first aid: in pictures Burns and scalds need immediate first aid. This includes treating the burn with cool running water. You might need to call an ambulance or seek medical help. This essential guide has tips for burns prevention, including keeping children away from fires, heat and hot surfaces inside and outside your home. Scalds prevention in your home Prevent scalds by keeping children away from hot liquids and foods that can burn – for example, boiling water, hot drinks, hot tap water, soups and sauces. House fires can be caused by faulty electrical appliances, open fires and heaters, unattended cooking and more. Smoke alarms are key to home fire safety. Medicines that can poison children Medicines are the most common cause of poisoning in young children. Safety starts with locking medicines in a child-resistant cupboard when not in use. Household poisons: keeping children safe Young children put everything in their mouths, including household poisons, chemicals and medicines. Keep all household poisons up high in locked cupboards. Dangerous plants: keeping children safe Keep children safe in the garden by removing, fencing off or not growing poisonous plants and dangerous plants. This guide has pictures of plants to avoid. Outdoor safety at home: in pictures This illustrated guide to outdoor child safety at home explains safety around cars, pools, spas and play equipment, sun safety and safety in the garden. Sun safety: babies, children and teenagers Sun safety precautions protect your child’s skin from UV exposure, skin damage and sunburn. It’s all about timing, shade, protective clothes and sunscreen. Child car seats: choosing, installing and using safe car seats Children up to at least 7 years must use an approved child car seat of the right size, correctly installed and adjusted to fit. Seats must meet AS/NZS 1754. Child car seats: types of car seats and when to use them Types of car seats include rear-facing seats, forward-facing seats and booster seats. The most appropriate type for your child depends on their age and size. Child car seats in taxis, rideshare services and buses If taxis have child car seats, children must use them. Laws about car seats in rideshare services vary. Car seats are recommended but not required in buses. Never leave children in cars. It’s very dangerous. Heatstroke, dehydration, suffocation and death are the main risks of leaving children unattended in cars. Accidentally leaving children in cars Accidentally leaving kids in cars is a risk if you’re tired, distracted or out of routine. Reduce risk with a routine, distraction strategies and self-care. When children are comfortable and happy in the car, it can be easier to drive safely. Keep the car cool, take breaks and manage children’s boredom. Safe car travel for your child with disability or a medical condition Children and teens with disability or medical conditions might need special equipment for safe car travel. See a health professional about your child’s needs. Child sexual abuse: what it is and what to do Child sexual abuse is when adults or older children involve children in any type of sexual activity. Sexual abuse is never a child’s fault. It’s a crime. Child sexual abuse: what to do if children or teenagers experience it If a child tells you about sexual abuse, stay calm, let the child talk, believe the child and help the child feel safe. Report abuse – call police on 000. Child sexual abuse: talking to children 0-11 years Talking about child sexual abuse helps protect children aged 0-11 years. You can talk about feeling unsafe, inappropriate touch, secrets and saying ‘no’. Safeguarding children and child sexual abuse Safeguarding children from sexual abuse involves things like family rules, precautions for sleepovers and checks on child safety in community organisations. Signs of sexual abuse in children and teenagers Children and teenagers might not tell you about sexual abuse. Instead you might notice signs of sexual abuse, like physical, emotional or behaviour changes. How to recognise child grooming signs Grooming is when a person gets friendly with a child or family for later sexual abuse. Signs include a person taking special interest in a family or child. Child sexual abuse: helplines and services Children or teens who have experienced child sexual abuse or displayed harmful sexual behaviour need support. Contact helplines and specialist services. Child sexual abuse: supporting children or teenagers who have experienced it Children and teens who have experienced sexual abuse can heal with professional support. Love, reassurance, routines, family time and talking can also help.