Tomorrow starts the month of September, and the month of September is Baby Safety Awareness Month.

Lee County Health Departments Senior Community Health Nursing Supervisor Glenda Wolnick says that even though Summer's almost over - for our area, one of the most the most important safety responsibilities we have regarding children of all ages is keeping kids safe near water. "And that could be in a commode, in a bathtub, in a mop bucket because remember that children can drown in less than an inch of water."

Pediatrician Emilio Del Valle says, "You can't leave them alone. Every year we have children that near drown or drown. Every single year."

Mother of 2 Jennifer Womble says that as your baby approaches the toddler stage there are outlets to cover, wires to move out of reach and household products that need to be locked up. "They explore the world through all their senses and putting things in their mouth, because everything is going in their mouth all of the time."

Glenda also says that in order to ending up here in the emergency room, more & more parents are understanding why its so important to explore your home from a childs perspective for any dangerous situations. "If we want to know what needs to be safer, we need to crawl on the floor a little bit. Because there's all these little bits and pieces on the floor that children can get chocked on."

Another important safety responsibility regarding your child begins with selecting a child car seat and using it properly from the moment you bring your baby home.

For more information regarding baby safety tips you can visit the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association website at www.jpma.org.