
Health and safety for babies

Written by
Vincent Dela Pena
Reading Time
5 Min
Every parent wants to keep their baby safe; however, it’s not always easy to protect our kids from harm. Small children are particularly vulnerable because they don’t understand hazards. They’re also more at risk of becoming sick because their immune system is immature. This is why it’s so important for parents to do what they can to maintain a protected and safe environment, particularly at home, which is the most common place for injuries to occur.
A fever is a temperature above 38°Celsius. While a fever may be a sign of illness, it’s not usually harmful. A fever is the body’s natural defense against an infection, normally with a virus. Bacterial infections can also cause the temperature to rise.
If your baby is under 3 months old and has a fever, you should take them to see a doctor straight away, even if they’re not showing any other symptoms. It’s important your baby is examined. It’s also important to have your child seen by a doctor if you’re worried, or have a sense that they’re not well. Sometimes there’s just a general change in a baby or young child’s behaviour before they show any symptoms of becoming unwell.
It can be very difficult to know what a rash could mean and when to be concerned. It can help to remember that rashes are very common in babies and young children, are usually harmless and go away on their own. Most rashes are caused by common viral infections and while some look the same, other viruses cause unique types of rashes.
Rashes can have:
Red, flat areas or raised bumps, blisters, welts or any combination of these.
It can be common for the rash to spread to most or all of the body before it goes away. Rashes may also last for days to weeks. Rashes can look worse when a child is hot, is crying or they’re irritated by clothing or in contact with food.
Most rashes are mild and do not cause the child any distress, although some rashes can cause a lot of itching.[2]
If your child has a rash of small, bright-red or purple spots or bruises that do not turn white (blanch) when you push on them, along with a fever, headache, stiff neck or back pain, seek medical advice immediately from your GP or nearest hospital emergency department.
Injuries to children happen because of hazards – anything which can cause harm. The best way to avoid injury is to spot hazards and remove them or make changes so a child doesn’t get hurt. This is why it can be helpful to use a home safety checklist as a reminder.
It’s impossible to guard against every hazard in every situation. However, your child will be safer and you’ll feel more relaxed if you know they’re in a safer environment. It can be very useful for parents to do a first aid course so they know what to do if their child is hurt or there is an emergency.
Preventable injuries are a leading cause of death and hospitalisation for Australian children, with most incidents occurring in the home.[3] However, with a little planning it’s not difficult to remove most hazards and potential risks. Once babies start to crawl it’s important to baby-proof the house.
These can be prevented by using non-slip mats in the bath and under rugs. If your child is walking, socks with grips on the soles may be helpful. Remove power cords and items on the floor and try to keep floors clutter free.
Use barriers or gates across doorways and at the top and bottom of steps. If your child is older, use a night light so they can see at night when going to the toilet.
Set your bathroom taps to a maximum of 50°Celsius with a tempering device. Speak with a plumber about what’s involved. Always run cold water first when filling your baby’s bath and check and re check water temperatures when you’re about to bath (or shower) your child. Ideally, a maximum bathing temperature for young children is 37-38°Celsius.
For burns and scalds – run cool water over the skin for at least 20 minutes. Remove clothing immediately. Never use butter, oil or ice on the skin.[4]
Speak with an electrician about checking your power board has a fully working safety switch. Plug low positioned power points with outlet plugs. Unplug any appliances you’re not using and make sure electrical cords are well out of reach.
Invest in a lockable medication cabinet or keep medications up high and well out of reach. Attach child-proof locks to drawers and cupboards where you store detergents, chemicals and cleaners. Also check your garage and areas where you may keep insecticides, fertilizers and herbicides. If you decant any substances into non-original containers, ensure you label them clearly.
Make sure heavy furniture and decorative items are secure and can’t topple over. Young children have a habit of using furniture to pull themselves up, especially when they’re learning to stand.
Tie up loose curtain and blind cords, especially those which are near your baby’s cot (or bed). Cord-safety devices can be retro-fitted to old blinds which don’t already include safety devices. You could also use a shortening device to keep cords at least 1600 mm above the floor.[5]
Scan your home, and wherever your child is, for small items which could cause choking.
Always
Always secure your child in the car with an approved child car restraint. Infants are safest if they remain in a rear facing restraint for as long as they still fit into one. Once they’re too tall for a rear facing car seat, it’s time for a booster seat with a lap-sash seat belt.
Take keys out of the car ignition and store them in a safe place.
Always supervise your child when they are in or around water. Keep buckets, dog bowls and even pot plant trays away from areas your child can access.
Make sure your pool area is fully enclosed with an approved fence and gates.
Red nose provides evidence based guidelines around safe sleeping and safe sleeping environments. This means that all potential dangers have been removed and the baby is sleeping in a safe place. The ideal place for a baby to sleep is in a safe cot, on a safe mattress, with safe bedding in a safe sleeping place, both night and day.[7]
Unsafe settings for baby’s sleep-time include leaving baby unattended on an adult bed or bunk bed, placing baby on a waterbed, beanbag, couch, pillow or cushion, or with a sleeping adult or child on a couch, sofa or chair.
Keep baby’s cot away from hanging cords such as blinds, curtains, or electrical appliances as they could get caught around baby’s neck. Keep heaters or any electrical appliances well away from the cot to avoid the risk of overheating, burns and electrocution. Never use electric blankets, hot water bottles or wheat bags for babies.
Using evidence-based safe sleeping steps to reduce risks:
Call an ambulance if your child is not breathing, has lost consciousness or has life threatening injuries. Any emergency situation which involves a sudden illness or injury is the time to call an ambulance. Remember, your most important job in an emergency could be to ring for help.
Written for Milton by Jane Barry, Midwife and Child Health Nurse, December 2024.
[1] Fever and high temperature in children and babies – when to see a doctor | healthdirect
[2] Kids Health Info : Rashes
[3] Guide to babyproofing and childproofing your home | RACV
[4] Pregnancy, Birth and Baby | Pregnancy Birth and Baby
[5] 201906-Final-A-Parents-Guide-to-Kidsafe-Homes-Web.pdf
[6] Pregnancy, Birth and Baby | Pregnancy Birth and Baby
[7] What is a Safe Sleeping Environment? | Red Nose Australia
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