New York State Kicks Off ‘Baby Safety Month’ With Helpful Tips

ALBANY, N.Y. — September is Baby Safety Month and New York state got right into the swing of things Tuesday by releasing a series of baby-proof safety measures and tips through its 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 New York Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez, in a written statement. 

“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,” he said.

Baby Safety Month is an annual event observed to raise awareness of critical, lifesaving information to help parents and other caregivers keep young children safe in a variety of settings.

It’s also an opportunity for states to alert residents to new or relatively new laws. For instance, the Safe Sleep for Babies Act, a federal law that went into effect on May 16, 2022, bans inclined sleepers and crib bumpers for babies. 

Introduced by Rep. Tony Cárdenas, D-Calif., the law makes it unlawful to manufacture, sell or distribute crib bumpers or inclined sleepers for infants. 

Specifically, inclined sleepers for infants are those designed for an infant up to 1-year-old and have an inclined sleep surface of greater than 10 degrees, which can restrict a baby’s airway. 

Crib bumpers generally are padded materials inserted around the inside of a crib and intended to prevent the crib occupant from becoming trapped in any part of the crib’s openings; they do not include unpadded, mesh crib liners.

Though originally intended to protect babies, the bumpers have been found to 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. 

As outlined on the Division of Consumer Protection website and in a YouTube video released by New York state, safe sleep for the little ones 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.

The state is also encouraging new parents to stay updated on the latest product recalls:

This begins by making sure the 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. It is especially important if new or prospective parents have purchased used items online, on social media or at a garage sale. 

These parents are encouraged to check these websites for the latest product recalls regularly: Saferproducts.gov, CPSC.gov and FDA.gov. In New York, residents can also sign up for the latest updates from the consumer protection website.

New and prospective parents are also encouraged to “baby proof” their homes.

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:

New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection’s Baby Safety Checklist.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commissions’ Childproofing Your Home safety guide.

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. 

For more tips and information about kids and hot cars, check out the New York state June 2023 Consumer Alert.

“Babies are so precious and yet so vulnerable,” said New York State Office of Children and Family Services Acting Commissioner Suzanne Miles-Gustave, in a written statement. 

“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,” Miles-Gustave said.

Dan can be reached at [email protected] and @DanMcCue