September is Baby Safety Month, which reminds parents and caregivers of the dangers to children. As respiratory illness season approaches, Maryland family physician Dr. Kisha Davis recommends creating a protective “bubble” around infants since their immune systems are not fully developed.
Dr. Davis suggests parents should frequently clean and disinfect home surfaces to kill bacteria and viruses. However, she cautions that parents must wipe away residual cleaning chemicals to prevent accidental ingestion by curious infants. One should also secure common hazards like electrical outlets, vents and small objects that toddlers and crawling babies might put in their mouths.
She further advises parents and caregivers to lock up cleaning supplies and store items like laundry pods in places that are out of reach for small children. Hands should be washed after outdoor play or before meals.
Davis also stresses the importance of limiting infants’ exposure to viruses. One key recommendation is allowing only vaccinated visitors into the home to protect children from preventable infections like COVID-19 and the flu.
