Babies and Safety in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Providing a safe environment is one of the most important parts of caring for your new baby. Whether you live in Eastown, Wyoming, Kentwood, or right in downtown Grand Rapids, your baby needs to be safe at home, in the car, and when you’re out in the community.

Injuries are the most common cause of death in childhood beyond the first year of life and a major reason children need emergency care at places like Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and other Grand Rapids emergency departments. Most injuries are not “bad luck” – they are predictable and largely preventable.

Healthcare providers now use the word “injury” instead of “accident,” because “accident” suggests nothing could have been done to prevent it. Babies are naturally active, curious, and excitable – and those wonderful traits can also put them at risk.

As a parent or caregiver in Grand Rapids, you can do a lot to prevent injuries and keep your baby safe.

Baby Safety in the Car

Use the Right Child Restraint Every Time

In Michigan, you must use an approved child restraint that is appropriate for your baby’s age, height, and weight. Proper car seat use is especially important in West Michigan, where icy winter roads, lake-effect snow, and heavy rain can increase crash risk.

For babies:

  • Birth to at least age 2 (or until they reach the maximum height/weight for the seat):
    • Use a rear-facing infant car seat or convertible car seat.
    • Follow the manufacturer’s height and weight limits.
  • Children under 4 years old should ride in a car seat in the back seat.
  • Children 4–8 years old should use a booster seat until they are tall enough for the seat belt to fit properly (usually 4'9").

Michigan law requires that children use a proper car seat or booster seat based on age and size. The restraint must be:

  • An approved child restraint that meets U.S. safety standards (FMVSS 213)
  • Correct for your child’s age, height, and weight
  • Properly installed and used according to the manufacturer’s instructions

Do not use car seats purchased overseas, as they may not meet U.S. safety standards.

Get Help with Car Seat Installation in Grand Rapids

If you’re unsure whether your car seat is installed correctly, you’re not alone. Many parents in the Grand Rapids area get help from certified child passenger safety technicians.

You can:

  • Ask your pediatrician at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health for local car seat check events.
  • Contact the Kent County Health Department or Grand Rapids Public Health for information on car seat inspection sites and low-cost or free car seat programs.
  • Check with local fire departments or police departments in Kent County, as some offer car seat safety checks by appointment.

Key Car Safety Tips

  • Always use the car seat for every trip, no matter how short. Most crashes happen close to home.
  • Install the car seat in the back seat – it is the safest place for children of any age.
  • Never place a rear-facing car seat in front of an active airbag.
  • Always buckle your baby in correctly:
    • Harness straps at or below the shoulders in rear-facing mode
    • Chest clip at armpit level
  • Set a good example – always wear your own seat belt. Babies learn by watching you.

Never Leave Your Baby Alone in the Car

It is never safe to leave a baby or child alone in a car – not even for a minute.

  • In Michigan, cars can heat up quickly even on cooler spring or fall days.
  • In summer, especially with humidity in West Michigan, the temperature in a parked car can reach dangerous levels in minutes.
  • Babies and young children can overheat much faster than adults.

Always:

  • Take your baby with you when you leave the vehicle.
  • Lock the car when it’s parked so children cannot climb in and become trapped.

Using Baby Slings and Carriers Safely

Baby slings and soft carriers can be very helpful for getting around Grand Rapids – whether you’re walking downtown, at the Fulton Street Farmers Market, or navigating winter sidewalks. But they must be used safely to prevent suffocation or falls.

Babies, especially premature or low birth weight babies or babies who are unwell, are at higher risk and parents should talk to a doctor before using a sling.

Follow the T.I.C.K.S. Rule for Sling Safety

Use the T.I.C.K.S. rule to remember how to position your baby safely:

  • T – Tight
    The sling should be snug, holding your baby high, upright, and close to your body. Loose fabric can cause your baby to slump, which can restrict breathing.

  • I – In view at all times
    You should always be able to see your baby’s face by simply looking down. Make sure the baby’s face, nose, and mouth are not covered by the sling or your clothing.

  • C – Close enough to kiss
    Your baby should be close enough that you can easily kiss the top of their head just by tipping your chin down.

  • K – Keep chin off the chest
    Your baby’s chin should be up and away from their chest. A curled position with the chin on the chest can block the airway.

  • S – Supported back
    Your baby’s back should be supported in a natural position, with their tummy and chest against your body.

Additional Sling Safety Tips

  • Avoid positions where:
    • Your baby’s back is curved with their chin resting on their chest.
    • Your baby’s face is pressed into your body or the sling fabric.
  • Check your baby often, especially in the first few weeks. Babies can be in distress without making noise.
  • When bending over, support your baby with one hand and bend at the knees, not at the waist.
  • Stop using the sling if your baby seems uncomfortable, has trouble breathing, or if you feel unsure about the fit. Speak with your pediatrician or a maternal/child health nurse.

Protecting Your Baby from Infections

Newborns have very little protection against infections. In a city like Grand Rapids, where we see strong cold and flu seasons and respiratory illnesses during fall and winter, infection prevention is especially important.

Hand Hygiene

  • Make sure everyone who handles your baby washes their hands first with soap and water or uses alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Wash your own hands:
    • Before feeding your baby
    • After changing diapers
    • After using the bathroom
    • After coming home from work, school, or public places

Keep Sick People Away

People who are sick with:

  • Colds
  • Flu
  • COVID-19
  • Cold sores (herpes simplex)
  • Other contagious infections

should avoid close contact with your baby, especially in the first few weeks of life.

Cold sores can be particularly dangerous for newborns. Anyone with an active cold sore should not kiss the baby and should avoid touching the baby’s face.

Vaccinations

Vaccines help protect your baby against serious infectious diseases. Your baby’s pediatrician in Grand Rapids will follow the recommended U.S. immunization schedule.

  • Keep your baby’s well-child visits at clinics such as Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health.
  • Ask your provider about:
    • Routine childhood vaccines
    • Flu shots (especially important in Michigan winters)
    • COVID-19 vaccination recommendations (if age-appropriate)

You can also contact the Kent County Health Department for vaccination clinics and low-cost immunization programs.

Understanding Your Baby’s Development and Safety

Babies in their first year develop very quickly. New skills – rolling, crawling, pulling up – can appear almost overnight. This can catch adults off guard and lead to injuries if the environment isn’t prepared.

To keep your baby safe at home in Grand Rapids:

  • Learn what your baby can typically do at each age (ask your pediatrician or nurse for developmental milestones).
  • Plan ahead for the next stage – baby-proof early.
  • Supervise other children when they are near the baby.
  • Be prepared for your baby to move more than you expect, even at a very young age.

Baby Safety at Home

Whether you live in an older Grand Rapids home or a newer suburban house, it’s important to create a safe environment indoors.

General Home Safety Tips

  • Store medicines and cleaning products:
    • In locked cupboards or out of reach and out of sight.
    • In original containers with child-resistant caps.
  • Keep small objects (coins, batteries, buttons, small toy parts) out of reach to prevent choking.
  • Choose nursery furniture that meets current U.S. safety standards:
    • Cribs with fixed sides and proper slat spacing.
    • Sturdy changing tables with raised edges.
  • Keep animals supervised around your baby:
    • Pets may feel unsettled by a new baby.
    • Never leave your baby alone with a dog or other pet, no matter how gentle they usually are.
  • Avoid hot drinks while holding your baby:
    • Spilled coffee, tea, or hot chocolate can cause serious burns.

Changing Your Baby Safely

Falls from changing tables are a common cause of injury in babies.

When changing your baby:

  • Use a sturdy change table with raised edges.
  • Always keep one hand on your baby.
  • Never leave your baby alone on the change table, even for a moment.
  • Keep all supplies (wipes, diapers, creams) within arm’s reach so you don’t have to turn away.
  • Some parents choose to change the baby on a mat on the floor to reduce the risk of falls.

Bath Time Safety

Drowning can happen quickly and silently, even in a small amount of water. In Michigan homes, bathrooms and laundry rooms can be especially hazardous.

Safe Bathing Tips

  • Always supervise your baby in the bath.
    • Stay within arm’s reach at all times.
    • Do not leave an older child to watch a younger child in the bath.
  • Do not use bath seats or supports as a substitute for supervision. Babies can slip or tip over.
  • If the phone or doorbell rings, take your baby with you – do not leave them alone in the water.
  • Empty the bath immediately after use.
  • Keep bathroom and laundry doors closed and latched to prevent unsupervised access.
  • Keep nappy/diaper buckets:
    • Off the floor
    • With a firm, well-fitting lid

Safe Sleep for Your Baby

Many parents in Grand Rapids worry about sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), which includes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and fatal sleep accidents. Research has shown there are simple steps you can take to reduce the risk.

Safe Sleep Guidelines

  • Always put your baby to sleep on their back – for naps and night sleep.
  • Use a firm, flat mattress in a safety-approved crib, bassinet, or portable crib.
  • Keep the sleep surface clear:
    • No pillows, quilts, comforters, duvets, crib bumpers, or stuffed toys.
    • Use a fitted sheet only.
  • Place your baby with their feet at the bottom of the crib (“feet to foot” position).
  • Keep your baby’s head uncovered:
    • If using blankets, tuck them in no higher than the baby’s chest.
    • Dress your baby in appropriate sleep clothing instead of loose blankets.
  • Avoid overheating:
    • In winter, Michigan homes can be very warm indoors. Dress your baby in light layers.
    • Feel your baby’s chest or back (not hands or feet) to check temperature.
  • Do not let anyone smoke:
    • Not in the house, car, or near your baby.
    • Secondhand and thirdhand smoke increase the risk of SIDS.

If you have questions about safe sleep, you can speak with your pediatrician, a maternal and child health nurse, or call local resources such as the Kent County Health Department.

Preventing Burns and Scalds

In Grand Rapids homes, especially during colder months when heaters, fireplaces, and hot drinks are common, burn prevention is essential.

Hot Water and Bathroom Safety

  • Reduce hot tap water temperature at the bath, basin, and shower to about 120°F (49–50°C) to lower the risk of scalds.
  • Consider having a thermostatic mixing valve or tempering valve installed by a licensed plumber.
  • Always test bath water with your wrist or elbow before placing your baby in.

Kitchen and Hot Drink Safety

  • Use door barriers or baby gates across kitchen and bathroom doors to keep crawling babies out.
  • Keep cups of hot tea, coffee, and soup well out of reach of children.
  • Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.
  • Never hold your baby while cooking.

Heaters, Fireplaces, and Smoke Detectors

  • Place a fixed safety guard around heaters, wood stoves, and open fireplaces.
  • Install working smoke detectors on every level of your home and near sleeping areas.
  • Test smoke detectors monthly and change batteries at least once a year.
  • Practice a home fire escape plan with your family.

Preventing Choking

Choking is a major risk for babies and young children. To keep your baby safe:

Toy Safety

  • Choose age-appropriate toys with no small parts that could be swallowed or inhaled.
  • Avoid toys with parts smaller than a D-size battery.
  • Check toys regularly for loose or broken parts.

Food Safety

For babies and young children:

  • Avoid feeding:
    • Raw hard vegetables (like carrot sticks) and hard raw apple slices
    • Whole nuts, especially peanuts (not suitable under age 5)
    • Hard lollies/candies
    • Large pieces of meat or sausage
  • Prepare foods safely:
    • Shred, grate, or steam hard fruits and vegetables.
    • Cut foods into small, manageable pieces.
  • Teach children to:
    • Sit quietly while eating
    • Avoid running, playing, or laughing with food in their mouth
  • Always supervise meals and snacks.

Baby Safety with Strollers and Prams

Strollers are useful for getting around Grand Rapids – from neighborhood walks to events at local parks – but they must be used correctly.

  • Always use the harness and buckle your baby in, even for short trips.
  • Do not hang heavy shopping bags from the handles – this can cause the stroller to tip over.
  • Use the brakes when the stroller is parked.
  • Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety guidelines.
  • In sunny weather, use a light, breathable sunshade over the stroller:
    • Avoid heavy blankets that can trap heat inside.
    • Make sure air can circulate freely.

Keeping Your Baby Safe Outdoors

Grand Rapids has four distinct seasons, and each brings different safety considerations.

Outdoor Play and Yard Safety

  • Create safe play areas away from driveways and roads.
  • Children should always be within eyesight of an adult when outdoors.
  • If you have play equipment:
    • Use soft ground cover such as mulch, river sand, or rubber under swings and slides to help cushion falls.
  • Never allow children to ride on:
    • Tractors
    • Ride-on mowers
    • All-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
    • Trailers

Sun Safety

Even in Michigan, where summers are relatively short, the sun can be strong, especially near water and reflective surfaces like concrete.

To protect your baby from the sun:

  • Keep babies under 6 months mostly in the shade.
  • Use wide-brimmed hats and lightweight, long-sleeved clothing.
  • Use stroller sunshades or umbrellas designed for prams.
  • For older babies, ask your pediatrician about using broad-spectrum sunscreen on small exposed areas.

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids

In an emergency, always call 911.

For non-emergency help and advice about baby safety, you can contact:

  • Your pediatrician or family doctor
    • Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health all have pediatric services.
  • Kent County Health Department
    • Information on child health, immunizations, and safety programs.
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and community clinics
    • Support for new parents, breastfeeding help, and home safety education.
  • Local hospitals with pediatric and emergency care:
    • Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital (pediatric specialty and emergency care)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health locations in the Grand Rapids area

You can also ask your healthcare provider about:

  • Car seat safety check events
  • New parent education classes
  • Safe sleep and breastfeeding support
  • Home-visiting programs for families with newborns

Key Points

  • Providing a safe environment is a vital part of caring for your new baby in Grand Rapids, MI.
  • Most injuries are predictable and preventable, not “accidents.”
  • Use an approved, properly fitted child restraint every time your baby rides in a car.
  • Never leave your baby unattended in a car, bath, or on a changing table.
  • Follow safe sleep guidelines to reduce the risk of SUDI and SIDS.
  • Use baby slings and carriers correctly, following the T.I.C.K.S. rule.
  • Protect your baby from infections, burns, choking, and falls by planning ahead and supervising closely.
  • Local resources in Grand Rapids – including hospitals, clinics, and public health services – can help you keep your baby safe and healthy throughout the year.