Safety Tips

Car Safety

• Never leave your child alone in a car.
• Everyone in a car must always wear seat belts or be in an appropriate booster seat or car seat.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety

• Teach your child to never ride a tricycle or bicycle in the street.
• All family members should use a bicycle helmet, even when riding a tricycle.
• It is much too early to expect a child to look both ways before crossing the street. Supervise all street crossing.

Poisons

• Teach your child to never take medicines without supervision and not to eat unknown substances.
• Put the poison center number on all phones.

Safety Around Strangers

• Teach your child the first and last names of family members.
• Teach your child to never go anywhere with a stranger.

Avoid Injuries

• Do not allow your child to be near knives, power tools, or mowers.

Dental Care

• Brushing teeth regularly after meals and before bedtime is important. Think of a way to make it fun.
• It is also a good idea to make an appointment for your child to see the dentist.
• If your child sucks his thumb, ask your doctor or dentist for advice on how to help him stop.

Immunizations

Your child will probably receive vaccination shots. After a shot your child may run a fever and become irritable for about 1 day. Your child may also have some soreness, redness, and swelling where a shot was given. For fever, give your child an appropriate dose of acetaminophen. For swelling or soreness, put a wet, warm washcloth on the area of the shot 4 times a day.

Call your child's health care provider immediately if:

• Your child has a fever over 105°F (40.5°C).
• Your child has a severe allergic reaction beginning within 2 hours of the shot (for example, hives, wheezing or noisy breathing, swelling of the mouth or throat).
• Your child has any other unusual reaction.

Next Visit

A once-a-year check-up is recommended. Be sure to check your child's shot records before starting school to make sure he or she has all the required vaccinations.