Safety promotion and injury prevention : 4 to 7 Months of Age

• • • 4 to 7 Months of Age
      • Major Developmental Accomplishments
        • Rolls over
        • Sits momentarily
        • Grasps and manipulates small objects
        • Resecures a dropped object
        • Has well-developed eye-hand coordination
        • Can focus on and locate very small objects
        • Has prominent mouthing (oral fixation)
        • Can push up on hands and knees
        • Crawls backward
      • Injury Prevention
        • Aspiration
          • Keep buttons, beads, syringe caps, and other small objects out of infant’s reach.
          • Keep floor free of any small objects.
          • Do not feed infant hard candy, nuts, food with pits or seeds, or whole or circular pieces of hot dog.
          • Exercise caution when giving teething biscuits, since large chunks may be broken off and aspirated.
          • Do not feed infant while he or she is lying down.
          • Inspect toys for removable parts.
          • Keep baby powder, if used, out of reach.
          • Avoid storing large quantities of cleaning fluid, paints, pesticides, and other toxic substances.
          • Discard used containers of poisonous substances.
          • Do not store toxic substances in food or drink containers.
          • Discard used button-size batteries; store new batteries in a safe area.
          • Know telephone number of local poison control center (800-222- 1222).
        • Suffocation
          • Keep all latex balloons out of reach.
          • Remove all crib toys that are strung across crib or play yard when child begins to push up on hands or knees or is 5 months of age.
        • Burns
          • Keep water faucets out of reach.
          • Place hot objects (cigarettes, candles, incense) on high surface out of child’s reach.
          • Limit exposure to sun; apply sunscreen.
        • Falls
          • Restrain in a high chair.
          • Crib rails are fixed and firmly latched. As of 2011, only beds with fixed rails are recommended.
        • Motor vehicles
          • See under Birth to 4 Months of age
        • Poisoning
          • Make certain that paint for furniture or toys does not contain lead.
          • Place toxic substances on a high shelf or in locked cabinet.
          • Hang plants, or place on high surface rather than on floor.
          • Know telephone number of local poison control center (800-222- 1222).
        • Bodily Damage
          • Give toys that are smooth and rounded, preferably made of wood or plastic.
          • Avoid long, pointed objects as toys.
          • Avoid toys that are excessively loud.
          • Keep sharp objects out of infant’s reach.