- Categories:
- Health
- Tags:
- AwarenessChildrenSafety
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every September
- Holiday emoji:
- 👶
Baby Safety Month dedicates every September to raising awareness about infant safety standards and injury prevention. This crucial observance, founded by the JPMA, encourages parents, caregivers, and retailers to review and implement best practices. Take action this month by checking car seat installations, childproofing your home, and staying informed on product recalls.
Want to sponsor Baby Safety Month? Learn how
History of Baby Safety Month
Baby Safety Month was introduced by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) in 1983 with “Expectant Mother’s Day.” In 1986, the day was increased to a week of celebration of baby safety. In 1988, the official spokeswoman for the week was actress Jayne Kennedy.
In 1991, the weeklong celebration officially became a month. Throughout the early 90s, JMPA started engaging more retailers in BSM and urged them to market their safest products during this time. Each year a chosen retailer who marketed their safe products won JPMA’s award, and at the 15-year anniversary in 1998, the theme was safe sleeping practices and Babies R Us in Oxnard, CA was the winner.
By 2005, the advent of the internet had made baby safety information more accessible than ever. It was this year that JPMA first made their materials for retailers downloadable on their website.
The state governments of California and Nevada became involved in 2009 when the Nevada governor provided a certificate of recognition acknowledging JMPA’s Certification week, and the California governor issued a resolution to observe Baby Safety Month.
Safe sleeping practices again became the focus of Baby Safety Month in 2010. JPMA helped educate retailers and parents on safe sleeping practices from naptime to nighttime with a 5-city education and sleep product tour.
Through the 2010s, JPMA has increasingly offered baby safety information, toolkits, and certifications to retailers and parents who are concerned about the safety of the products used around their children. Their campaign changes its focus yearly, increasingly adopts a social media presence, and has won awards for their levels of public engagement.
Baby Safety Month timeline
Every state had passed a law requiring children to be strapped into a car seat by 1985.
The Toy Safety Act, signed into law by President Nixon, authorized the government to test and ban hazardous toys.
The first child safety car seat was created by British inventor Jean Ames in 1962.
The baby gate was first invented in 1906 and was instrumental in keeping babies out of dangerous parts of the house.
Baby Safety Month related content
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See MoreBaby Safety Month FAQs
When is Baby Safety Month?
Baby Safety Month 2026 runs throughout September, dedicated to raising awareness about infant safety and injury prevention. It’s a crucial time for parents and caregivers to review safety practices.
How many infant injuries occur each year?
According to the CDC, unintentional injuries are a leading cause of death among children. Each year, millions of children, including infants, are treated in emergency departments for injuries, with falls, poisoning, and burns being common causes.
What are the most common baby safety hazards?
Common hazards include falls from changing tables or furniture, suffocation risks in cribs or with loose bedding, poisoning from household products, and drowning in bathtubs or buckets. Product recalls also pose a significant risk.
What is the JPMA Certification Seal?
The JPMA Certification Seal signifies that a juvenile product has been tested by an independent laboratory and meets the requirements of ASTM International and federal regulations. It assures parents that the product is safe.
How to Observe Baby Safety Month
Spread awareness on social media
Get #BabySafetyMonth trending with other parents or professionals who work with babies, and you may just save a life. Babies grow rapidly and so do their needs, so spreading awareness of this month is helpful for all parents struggling to keep up and maintain a safe environment for their child. Plus, you can post a photo of your baby with the hashtag, which, to be honest, you were going to do anyway.
Educate yourself
JPMA offers many toolkits for baby safety, specific to what you’re looking for. Their pages range from covering the basics to detailing how to assess product safety and buckle in a car seat. There’s nothing lacking for new parents and those who work with children! Once you’ve read up on what does and doesn’t pose a threat to your baby, do a daily check to make sure your environment and products stay safe to use.
Invest in safe baby products!
As much as most manufacturers strive for safety, there’s a chance that not every item in your home is baby-proof. Read up on what poses a threat to your bundle of joy, and make sure it’s far out of reach or locked away. Then, go out and research a new fun product for your baby that meets all required safety standards! Peace of mind knowing your child is safe is invaluable.
​5 Cute Tips For The Safest Baby Ever
Soft Snacks Only
Harder foods present a choking hazard for babies - make sure their food is soft and easy to swallow.
Medicine Isn’t a Spoonful of Sugar
Beware of teaching children that medicine is candy, as this could lead to them taking your medicine when you aren’t around.
Don’t Toss the Baby
Shaking a baby or tossing him in the air can cause blindness or brain damage.
Watch for Broken Toys
Even very baby-safe toys can present a hazard if broken. Be on the lookout for any of your child’s toys that have been damaged or come apart - make sure all pieces/toys are larger than the child’s mouth.
Baby Gates Everywhere!
Baby gates can be heavily employed to keep babies away from the many things that pose hazards to them - drawers with sharp objects, rooms with open electrical sockets, pools, and more.
Why Baby Safety Month is Important
Babies are the cutest!
Who doesn’t want to make their little angel safer? Babies melt nearly everyone’s heart and are always a symbol of innocence, love, and new beginnings. Using this month to dedicate a little extra time and love to our babies is just fine by us.
Sometimes, parents need some help
Even if you have the best parenting instincts on Earth, caring for a new life that depends entirely upon you is not an easy feat. The best intentions can’t stand up to ignorance, so parents should use Baby Safety Month as an opportunity to educate themselves on the products they purchase. Greater awareness of the risks in your home and life can only lead to a safer and healthier life for your child.
It’s a great excuse to invest in quality baby equipment!
Every parent has an equipment wish list, and now they can be assured each item on it is as safe as possible. Let’s be honest, the hand-me-down high chair is more than a little ratty, and according to the standards for baby equipment you’ve learned about, it might not even be safe. This is the perfect excuse to splurge on the nice one, the one that even somewhat goes with the kitchen decor… what, can’t safety look good, too?
Baby Safety Month dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | September 1 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | September 1 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | September 1 | Friday |
| 2029 | September 1 | Saturday |
| 2030 | September 1 | Sunday |
