There are several hazards that can pose a risk to babies. Here are some of the most common ones:

1. Choking: Food is the most common thing for babies and toddlers to choke on. Young children may also put small objects in their mouths that could cause choking. To prevent choking, it’s important to keep small objects such as buttons, coins, and small toy parts out of your baby’s reach. Once your baby has started on solid food, always cut it up into small pieces. Babies can choke on something as small as a grape (these should be cut lengthways) ¹.
2. Suffocation: Pillows or duvets should not be used with babies under the age of 1, as they can suffocate if their face gets smothered. Babies should always sleep on their back with their feet at the foot of their cot. Tuck the blanket in across their chest and under their arms and keep the cot free from bumpers, pillows, and soft toys ¹.
3. Poisoning: Household products and medicines are the most common cause of poisoning in children. Dangerous products include drain cleaners, oven cleaners, dishwasher tablets and powders, bleaches, paints, many gardening products, and other household chemicals ².
4. Falls: Falls are a common cause of injury in babies and young children. To prevent falls, it’s important to use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs and in doorways to prevent your child from accessing unsafe areas. Also, anchor heavy furniture such as bookcases, dressers, and televisions to the wall to prevent them from tipping over ¹.
5. Burns: Burns can be caused by hot liquids or surfaces such as stovetops or radiators. To prevent burns, it’s important to keep hot drinks out of reach of children and never leave them unattended on a table or counter. Also, use back burners on stovetops whenever possible and turn pot handles away from the front of the stove ¹.

These are just a few examples of common hazards for babies. You can find more information on this topic by visiting websites such as NHS ¹ and Better Health Channel ².

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