September 6, 2007
 Out and About
This month marks the 24th anniversary of Baby Safety Month, with vital information on how to keep babies safe in the great outdoors. Below, the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association's (JPMA) "Out & About with Baby" safety initiative shares its tips:
In the sun
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For babies less than 6 months, avoiding sun exposure and dressing infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats that shade the neck are still the top recommendations from the AAP to prevent sunburn. When adequate clothing and shade are not available, apply a minimal amount of sunscreen with at least 15 SPF to small areas, such as the infant's face and the back of the hands. |
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For young children, apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside, and use sunscreen even on cloudy days. The SPF should be at least 15. |
On the playground
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The playground should have safety-tested mats or loose-fill materials (shredded rubber, sand, wood chips, or bark) maintained to a depth of at least 9 inches. The protective surface should be installed at least 6 feet (more for swings and slides) in all directions from the equipment. |
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Equipment should be carefully maintained. Open "s" hooks or protruding bolt ends can be hazardous. |
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Make sure children cannot reach any moving parts that might pinch or trap any body part. |
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Never attach – or allow children to attach – ropes, jump ropes, leashes, or similar items to play equipment; children can strangle on these. |
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Supervise children on play equipment to make sure they are safe. |
In winter
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Dress infants and children warmly for outdoor activities. Several thin layers will keep them dry and warm. Clothing for children should consist of thermal long johns, turtlenecks, one or two shirts, pants, sweater, coat, warm socks, boots, gloves or mittens, and a hat. |
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The rule of thumb for older babies and young children is to dress them in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions. |
For more safety tips on protecting baby, visit jpma.org.
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