Every September is Baby Safety Month, an awareness program created and sponsored by the Baby Safety Alliance since 1983. Baby Safety Month raises awareness and provides knowledge on how to keep little ones safe.

Baby Safety 101: What Every Parent Should Know

September is Baby Safety Month, and it’s a reminder that the smallest steps often make the biggest difference. From safe sleep practices to car seat checks, preventing accidents at home, and even knowing when to ask for help, families can take simple but powerful actions to protect their little ones. At Aunt Martha’s, we see every day how prevention saves lives.

The First Year: Why Safety Matters So Much

Infancy is a time of rapid growth and learning. It’s also a period when children are especially vulnerable to preventable injuries.

Nearly 3,500 infants die each year in the U.S. from sleep-related causes such as suffocation and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
About 5.6 million children are treated in emergency rooms each year for accidental injuries, many of them toddlers just starting to explore.

Safe Sleep: Building Healthy Habits from Day One

The AAP recommends the ABCs of safe sleep:

Alone – Your baby should sleep alone, not in the same bed with you or anyone else.
Back – Always place your baby on their back.
Crib – Use a firm mattress with a fitted sheet.

Always keep the crib clear of pillows, blankets, bumpers, and toys.

Car Seats: A Life-Saving Routine

Motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of injury and death for children in the U.S.

The right car seat, used correctly, is one of the strongest protections you can give.
Correct car seat use reduces the risk of death by up to 71%.

Babyproofing the Home: Preventing Everyday Injuries

Many parents underestimate just how quickly a curious child can get into danger. Some of the most common causes of emergency visits for toddlers include: falls, choking, burns, accidental poisonings.

Here are a few simple steps you can take today:

Securing furniture so it can’t be toppled or knocked over
Locking away medications
Covering electric outlets
Setting the water heater to 120°F

A Culture of Prevention: Working Together

Baby Safety Month isn’t just about individual families – it’s also about community.

Organizations like the Baby Safety Alliance and Safe Kids Worldwide provide resources to parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers. At Aunt Martha’s, we support families with well-baby check-ups, car seat safety checks, and educational workshops on infant CPR and safety.