New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Offers Tips for Keeping Babies Safe

 

September is Baby Safety Month

This Month is a Great Time to Remind New Yorkers About Lifesaving Tips that Can Help Parents and Caregivers Create a Safe Environment for Their Little One

Download Our Baby Safety Checklist

Secretary Mosley said: “We never take for granted the safety of our little ones and that’s why during Baby Safety Month, the NYS Division of Consumer Protection offers valuable tips to help prevent child related injuries and remind families of proper safety measures.”

The New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection today provided safety measures and tips to help prevent some of the biggest dangers for babies. September is Baby Safety Month, an annual event that focuses on raising awareness of critical lifesaving information to help parents and caregivers keep little ones safe. While the health and safety of a baby matter 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 one.

“As parents, our main responsibility is to protect the safety and well-being of our children,” said Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “We never take for granted the safety of our little ones and that’s why during Baby Safety Month, the NYS Division of Consumer Protection offers valuable tips to help prevent child related injuries and remind families of proper safety measures.”

”Every parent wants to keep their baby safe and small steps can make a big difference,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “From safe sleep to checking for recalled products and using the right car seat, these simple precautions can help protect our youngest New Yorkers and give families greater peace of mind.”

BABY SAFETY TIPS:

• Practice Safe Sleep Habits: Babies spend most of their time sleeping, so making sure that baby’s sleep spaces are safe is critical. Make sure you always shop for safe sleep products and put your baby to sleep on their back to prevent infant sleep-related deaths. Be sure to keep items such as toys and other objects out of baby sleeping areas.
  
  
  Safe sleep 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.

To learn about what to look for when choosing safe sleep products for infants and which items to avoid, check out the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Safe Sleep Guide.

• Stay Updated with the Latest Product Recalls:
  According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC), an estimated 70,000 nursery product-related injuries among children younger than 5 years old were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments in 2024. Baby product safety recalls are typically related to suffocation hazards, choking hazards, laceration hazards, tipping hazards, and other safety concerns.
  
  
• Ensure that the baby’s crib and all products meet current safety standards as specified by the USCPSC. Staying updated on the latest product recalls is vital to protect babies from unsafe products.
  
  
• Check websites like CPSC.gov, FDA.gov, and recalls.gov regularly for the latest product recalls, or sign up for the latest updates from our website.
  
  
• If you purchase used items online, on social media or in a garage sale, confirm that they’re safe to use. Read our consumer alert which provides tips on how to safely buy secondhand items.
  
  
• Baby Proof Your Home: Many items in your home can be hazardous for babies and small children. Keep these dangers out of reach and prevent injuries by following recommended safety practices.  For ideas on how to baby proof your home and identify dangerous items, check out these resources:
  • NYS 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. Always leave something you need near your child so you will not forget they are there, and never leave a child in an unattended car, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
  
  
  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 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 our consumer alert on this topic.

About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides resources and education materials to consumers on product safety, as well as voluntary mediation services between consumers and businesses. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection.

For more consumer protection tips, follow the Division on social media at Twitter: @NYSConsumer and Facebook: www.facebook.com/nysconsumer