Is Your Newborn Baby Safe?
(Content revised 06/2019)
Complete this checklist to see whether you have a safe home environment for your newborn. If the question does not apply to you, please tick “Not applicable”
- Do you place your baby on her back to sleep?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
- Does your baby sleep in a cot?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
If you do not share bed with baby, please go to Q6
- If you share bed with your baby, do you place him in a basket to separate him from you?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
- If you share bed with your baby, does he have his own blanket?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
- If you or other adults share bed with the baby, have the adults taken alcohol or drug?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
- Do you sleep with your baby on sofa?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
- Does your baby wear light and comfortable clothing at bedtime?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
- Do you put items (other than beddings) in your baby's bed?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
- Do you place your baby to sleep on soft and fluffy objects like quilt, soft pillow, sheepskin or bean bag?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
- Is your baby's sleeping area well-ventilated with a comfortable temperature?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
- Do you provide a smoke-free environment to your baby?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
- Is the distance between the vertical bars of the baby cot less than 6 cm (2.5 inches)?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
- Does the mattress fit well with the baby cot without any gaps?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
- Is the height of the cot rails more than 3/4 of your baby's height?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
- Have you ever left your baby alone on the sofa or bed without guards (even for just a brief moment)?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
- When you put your baby in a stroller, do you buckle the safety straps and keep the wheels locked?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
- Do you use a baby bath basin for bathing your baby?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
- When preparing to bathe your baby, do you put cold water in before hot water and test the water temperature with your elbow?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
- Do you keep your baby away from hot water at all times?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
- Are all feeding equipment (including feeding bottles, teats, tongs) sterilised before use?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
- Is each formula feed freshly made?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
- Do you reheat milk in a microwave oven?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
- Do you check the milk temperature before feeding the baby? (including formula milk or warmed breastmilk)
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
- Do you prop up the bottle or leave your baby alone during feeding?
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
Desirable conditions
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- No
- No
- Yes
- No
- No
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- No
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- No
- Yes
- No
Congratulations if your answers are the same as the desirable conditions. You have provided a safe environment for your baby. If any of your answers are ‘Not Applicable', you still need to stay alert of the situation as it may happen in the future. If any of your answers are contrary to the desirable conditions, please take appropriate measures to ensure your baby's safety.