September is Baby Safety Awareness Month

Keeping their children safe is an inherent desire and responsibility of any parent. It’s also an increasingly difficult job, with more and more things to consider.

That’s why many organizations are observing Baby Safety Month in September.

Dating back to 1983 when the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) initiated an “Expectant Mother’s Day”, the organization has been helping parents and retailers to focus on baby safety through product awareness and tips.

JPMA is a not-for-profit association that represents around 250 manufacturers that account for 95-percent of the prenatal to preschool products in the U.S. market.

“This month-long event increases consumer awareness of safety issues and the safe selection and use of baby products,” said JPMA. “Whether you are a retailer, manufacturer, industry partner, doctor’s office, or playgroup, you are in a wonderful position to spread the word to parents and caregivers about baby safety throughout Baby Safety Month and all year long.”

Other organizations, such as the Association of Women’s Health Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) also promote the observance of the Baby Safety Month.

“With Labor Day falling at the start of Baby Safety Month, it is the perfect time for parents to take stock of the best travel safety tips for your child in your car, on a plane, in a hotel and in a friend’s house to keep your child safe this holiday weekend,” said AWHONN CEO Lynn Erdmann in a Huffington Post article.

Local Impact

In Kentucky, each year there are more than 55,000 births and Tennessee records more than 80,000.

Facing those thousands of parents are a number of dangerous situations, and many of them may not even be on their radar until it’s too late.

Though not a partner of either organization, Hughes and Coleman Lawyers are concerned with baby safety and awareness. We’ll be dedicating September’s blogs exclusively to the topic in a variety of situations.

Why It’s Necessary

Even the smallest things can cause permanent injury or death in infants and small children. That sort of accident tears at a family and can have lasting repercussions.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) tracks injuries to children on an annual basis and finds that children ages 1-4 are the most susceptible to accidental injury.

Drowning is the leading cause of death in that age group, as well as ages 1-4 having the highest rates of nonfatal falls and poisoning. Additionally, in children under 1 year of age, falls accounted for more than 50% of nonfatal injuries and two-thirds of injury deaths were due to suffocation.

Strap in For Safety

With these sobering statistics in mind, it’s clear why JPMA is promoting the month-long theme of “Strap in for Safety” as part of their September campaign.

“Child safety devices, like safety belts and straps, should always be used when available. Straps, safety belts, and harnesses on baby gear reduce the risk of infant fall injuries,” JPMA said.

“Whether it’s in the home or on the go, learn how to properly use straps on a variety of products and the importance of correctly using them EVERY time in order to keep baby safe.”

Their website even has a comprehensive list of tips for parents to use straps properly in the car, on the go in strollers or carriers, at home in swings or bouncers, as well as mealtime.