Winter Baby Basics

Heating equipment is the second leading cause of home-fire deaths in the United States and the leading cause during the months of December and January. Be sure to properly maintain your home's furnace or fireplace and chimney, and check smoke detectors frequently.

With children around, there needs to be an additional level of vigilance with heating equipment. Position heaters away from crawling babies and at least three feet from your infant's play area or bed. Visit the U.S. Fire Administration's website for more information.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission also suggests installing carbon monoxide (CO) alarms near bedrooms and on each floor of your home. Should your alarm sound, call emergency services (911 or your local fire department) and move immediately to an area with fresh air. Watch for the symptoms of CO poisoning: headache, fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath. If you experience any of these symptoms, get fresh air right away and contact a doctor for proper diagnosis.