September is baby safety month, a perfect reminder to prioritize the safety of infants and young children in our homes and community. Businesses and organizations alike can actively participate in promoting baby safety this month by adding the necessary skill sets to their team and investing in tools that can help prepare for baby emergencies in the workplace. Emergency preparedness is a crucial aspect of baby safety, and it’s important for businesses to be equipped and ready to handle any potential emergencies involving infants and young children.
Why Baby Safety is Important for Businesses
The well-being of employees, customers, and their community is vital for any organization. By supporting baby safety initiatives, businesses can:
- Demonstrate their commitment to a family-friendly workplace and, in return, contribute to employee satisfaction
- Give customers and employees the peace of mind that their company cares about the well-being of children and adults
- Boost reputation, attracting like-minded customers who prioritize family safety values
- Contribute to risk management by reducing the likelihood of accidents, injuries, or emergencies involving infants or young children through comprehensive emergency preparedness plans and training.
Ensuring baby safety is not just an ethical responsibility but a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control Prevention and, in many jurisdictions, a requirement to have childproofing, fire safety, and emergency preparedness within a company. Incorporating safety training and the right equipment protects children and infants in a community and minimizes legal and financial risks.
How to Prepare for a Baby Emergency
Just like adults, babies and children can have cardiac emergencies, too. The National Library of Medicine estimated that more than 20,000 children have cardiac arrest annually in the United States. Although we hope an emergency involving a baby or child never occurs in your workplace, it’s essential to be prepared for any trouble that may arise by learning about the tools and services that can keep you prepared.
The Philips HeartStart FRx is an automated external defibrillator (AED) that can restore a heart from cardiac arrest to its normal rhythm. AED machines are designed to analyze the heart rhythm and deliver an electrical shock, if necessary, to reset the heart’s electrical system, potentially shocking the heart’s rhythm back to normal.
The Philips HeartStart FRx is an easy-to-use AED device for your business. It provides voice prompts to aid rescuers who may not have any training in CPR or AED usage. This defibrillator’s compact size, lightweight design, and durability make it easy to take on the go.
Related Article: How to Use an AED on an Infant
The pediatric key accessory, purchased separately, is the feature that makes this defibrillator a unique option for your baby safety kit. The Philips FRx Infant/child key allows for safe and effective defibrillation of children or infants. After inserting the key into the device, the adult pads can deliver the appropriate shock level for children or infants. This one-time purchase is a cost-effective solution since no additional purchases of spare pediatric pads are needed.
In addition to having a defibrillator on hand, investing in the American Red Cross CPR/AED & First Aid Certification – Adult, Child, Infant training course or the American Heart Association 2020 Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED Online training course can equip you and your staff with a new skill set that can provide the appropriate aid to younger victims. Children and infants have smaller bodies and more flexible bones and require special life-saving techniques to ensure their safety during the rescue.
Some of the things you learn in these courses include:
- Proper depth and rate of compressions on a more petite body
- Positioning of hands and fingers during chest compressions on a child/infant
- Pediatric AED electrode pad placement
Understanding and practicing these techniques can make all the difference for adequate resuscitation in infants and children, and having prior training can make staff and bystanders more confident to act quickly if a child needs helps. Knowledge of infant/child CPR/AED & First Aid can help rescuers respond promptly and appropriately to various medical emergencies involving infants, children, and adults.
Infants and young children are more susceptible to choking due to their smaller airways and tendency to explore objects with their mouths. Infant/child training courses dive into recognizing and responding to choking emergencies. However, if regular choking protocols fail, you can equip your staff with a LifeVac tool. A LifeVac is a non-invasive alternative method for clearing airway obstructions caused by choking. The LifeVac Travel Kit can supply you with an adult and pediatric mask in a small travel bag, making it easy to transport and store.
Industries that work with children:
All industries should invest in some type of safety protocol for adults and children/infants, but especially if you fall under the following industries:
- Education
- Healthcare and pediatrics
- Childcare, daycare, and babysitting
- Parks, playgrounds, indoor play centers
- Retail that sells youth clothes, toys, products
- Youth sports organizations, children’s sports clubs, kids’ clubs
- Places of Worship
Considering the numerous industries that work with infants and children, your company must acknowledge the risk of emergencies. By actively incorporating baby safety practices, your company can create a safer and more supportive environment for families and employees in your community. Have questions on baby safety products or services available? Call 800-422-8129 or email [email protected] for assistance. Let Heartsmart be your ally in creating a more heart-safe community for your business.