A baby asleep on its back in a cot, in a sleeping bag
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Babies0 to 1

Stillness is the danger. A baby can't move away from harm, so the home has to.

The five biggest risks

9 in 10 injuries to babies happen at home. Head and neck injuries are 70% of injury hospitalisations in babies under 1.

  1. SuffocationBedroomOn the back, in a cot, on a firm flat mattress. Nothing soft in the cot.
  2. FallsChange table, bed, sofaNever leave a baby up there alone, not even for a second.
  3. Bath drowningBathroomStay within arm's reach. Empty the bath straight after.
  4. ScaldsBathroom, kitchenBath about 38°C. Boiled water scalds for up to 30 minutes, so keep it well away.
  5. Button batteriesLiving roomScrew or tape every battery compartment shut. Lock spares away.

Sources: AIHW, Injuries in children and adolescents 2021–22, place of occurrence; AIHW, Injuries in children and adolescents 2021–22. Prevention advice: Red Nose, Royal Life Saving, Product Safety Australia. All ages side by side: by age.


Get a reminder at each new stage

Add your child's birthday and the calendar lays out every safety job as it falls due: the cot, the gates, the pool, the booster seat. Save it to your phone's calendar. Nothing is sent to us.

Emergency 000 Poisons 13 11 26

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