Infant Safety Guide
Essential safety procedures and guidelines every parent and caregiver should know.
Emergency Response Quick Guide
Call Emergency Services
- • United States: 911
- • Have address ready
- • Stay on the line
- • Follow dispatcher instructions
While Waiting for Help
- • Stay with the infant
- • Monitor breathing
- • Keep infant warm
- • Don't give food/water
Source: American Red Cross Emergency Response Guidelines, 2023
Infant Heimlich Maneuver
Step-by-Step Procedure
- 1.
Hold infant face down on your forearm, supporting their head and neck. Keep their head lower than their body.
- 2.
Give 5 quick back blows between shoulder blades using the heel of your hand.
- 3.
Turn baby face up on your forearm, supporting their head.
- 4.
Give 5 chest compressions using two fingers on the breastbone, just below the nipple line.
- 5.
Repeat sequence until object is dislodged or help arrives.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, Updated Guidelines 2023
Important Notes
- • Never perform abdominal thrusts on infants
- • If infant becomes unconscious, begin CPR
- • Call for help if choking persists
- • Have infant checked by doctor after any serious choking incident
Infant CPR (0-12 months)
Check Response & Breathing
- 1.
Gently tap the feet or shoulders. Never shake an infant.
- 2.
Check for breathing - look for chest movement, listen for breath sounds, feel for air from nose/mouth.
- 3.
If no response and not breathing (or only gasping), begin CPR immediately.
CPR Steps
- 1.
Chest Compressions
- • Place 2 fingers in the center of chest, just below nipple line
- • Push hard and fast: 100-120 compressions per minute
- • Compress chest about 1.5 inches (4 cm)
- • Allow complete chest recoil between compressions
- 2.
Rescue Breaths
- • After 30 compressions, give 2 gentle breaths
- • Cover both mouth and nose with your mouth
- • Each breath should last about 1 second
- • Watch for chest rise with each breath
- 3.
Continue CPR
- • Maintain ratio of 30 compressions to 2 breaths
- • Continue until help arrives or signs of life return
- • If possible, switch rescuers every 2 minutes
Source: American Heart Association Pediatric Basic Life Support Guidelines, 2023
Critical Notes
- • Call 911 immediately or have someone else call
- • Perform CPR on a firm, flat surface
- • If alone, perform CPR for 2 minutes before calling 911
- • Use less force than adult CPR - infant chest is delicate
- • Take a CPR certification course for hands-on training
Prevention & Preparation
- • Create a safe sleep environment
- • Remove choking hazards
- • Learn infant CPR before an emergency
- • Keep emergency numbers readily available
- • Install home safety devices
Source: CDC Injury Prevention and Control, 2023
Choking Prevention
Food Safety
- • Cut food into pieces smaller than 1/4 inch
- • Avoid high-risk foods (nuts, grapes, hot dogs)
- • Always supervise meal times
- • Ensure proper sitting position
Environment Safety
- • Keep small objects out of reach
- • Check toy age recommendations
- • Regular toy safety checks
- • Secure loose items
Source: CDC Injury Prevention Guidelines, 2023
References & Research
Academic Sources
- • American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Choking Prevention and First Aid for Infants and Children.
- • Pediatric Advanced Life Support Guidelines. (2023). American Heart Association.
Clinical Research
- • Journal of Emergency Medicine. (2023). "Updates in Pediatric Basic Life Support."
- • Pediatric Emergency Care. (2023). "Choking Prevention Strategies: A Review."
Additional Resources
- • Red Cross First Aid App
- • CDC Injury Prevention Resources
- • Safe Kids Worldwide
Emergency Contacts
Emergency Services
911
Poison Control
1-800-222-1222
Keep these numbers easily accessible at all times