Whether you’re a first time mom or a “veteran,” take some time this month to be sure your baby is as safe as he or she can be.

Falls are the leading cause of injury for children around the home

• Be sure that furniture throughout the home, and especially in the nursery, is never positioned under a window. A toddler could stand on it and potentially fall out of a window.

• Install a hardware-mounted gate at the top of the stairs. Check that the gate is approved for top-of-stair use and has a mechanism that will allow it to only open one way, not over the stairway itself.

• Window guards should be placed on windows that are low to the floor and window wedges should be installed on double-hung windows.

Over 75% of car seats are used or installed improperly

• Be sure that you read your car seat manual, as well as your car manual, to be sure that your car seat is compatible with your car.

• The safest place for a baby is in the middle of the rear seat. They should be rear facing for up to one year of age and 20 lbs. If you are using an infant carrier as your car seat check that it can be used up to 20lbs.

• The straps on the car seat should fit snuggly (no more than a small pinky finger between your baby’s shoulder and the strap) and the buckle should be even with her armpits.

Topple over accidents have increased by 46%

• Use furniture or corner braces to secure furniture to the walls. This includes lighter furniture such as changing tables and end tables

• Attach TVs to their stands using heavy duty Velcro so they won’t fall over if a child pulls on the wires.

Hot water causes more burns than flames

• Turn your water heater down to no more than 110° F. If you do not have access to your water heater, consider installing a scald protector on your faucet so that the water will automatically shut off if it’s too hot.

• When eating at a restaurant position your baby against a wall so that a waiter can’t come from behind and accidentally spill hot liquids on him or her.

• Be sure that when you are cooking your baby is not permitted in the area between the stove and sink. Hot pasta water or other boiling liquids could accidentally spill as you’re moving within this area.

*Content expressed in Home Security Source does not represent the thoughts and opinions of ADT Security Services, Inc. unless explicitly indicated.