Safety

- Car seats. All children younger than 12 years should ride in the back seat with the appropriate safety restraint. Infants should be placed in a rear-facing seat until they're 1-year-old and weigh 20 pounds. Toddlers and preschool children should use a forward-facing seat. Children between the ages of 4 and 8 years who are more than 40 pounds should use a belt-positioning booster seat until they are 4 feet 9 inches tall.

- Cribs. To avoid suffocation hazards, keep soft objects and loose bedding out of the crib. Cribs manufactured after 1974 meet current safety standards. A crib that has been in the family for generations may not be suitable or safe - cribs made before 1974 may be covered in lead paint, have slats that are too far apart or pose other safety hazards.

- Toys. When you shop for your grandchild look for sturdy, well-made toys that don't pose choking hazards. Cribs, toys and equipment you might have used with your kids may have sentimental value, but often are not the safest option.

- Helmets. Make sure that your grandchild always wears a helmet when riding a tricycle or bicycle. Make sure that your grandchild's helmet fits well. Helmets should also be used for skating sports such as skateboarding, rollerskating and in-line skating.

- Strangulation hazards. Reduce the risk of strangulation by not putting necklaces or headbands on your grandchild, and not dressing him or her in clothing with drawstrings, which can get caught on play equipment and furniture. Don't tie a pacifier around your grandchild's neck or tether it to clothing. Tie up all window blind cords so that they aren't within reach of your grandchild, and avoid having telephone cords that dangle.

- Choking hazards. Common choking hazards for children under 4 years old include peanuts, popcorn, raw carrots and other raw vegetables, hard fruits, whole grapes or cherries, or hard candies. Watch out for small plastic toys that come from vending machines, or parts of older siblings' toys.

- Childproofing the house. For babies and toddlers, put outlet covers on all of the outlet plates. And don't forget safety latches and locks for cabinets and drawers in the kitchen and bathroom. Be sure to keep medicines, household cleaners and other dangerous substances locked away and out of reach. Consider doorknob covers and door locks to help keep kids away from places with hazards, like bathrooms and swimming pools.

- Emergency information. Be prepared in case you need to take your grandchild to the doctor or hospital. It's important to know the child's medical history, including any allergies and any medication your grandchild may be taking. Also have information about the child's insurance coverage and written permission from the parents authorizing you to seek medical care for the child.

General health

Handwashing. Thorough handwashing - particularly after going to the bathroom and before preparing or eating food - is now recognized as one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of any illness, from the flu to diarrhea. To really get rid of germs: wet your hands with warm water, then rub with soap for at least 15 seconds (long enough to sing a few rounds of "Happy Birthday") before rinsing well. In a public restroom, dry your hands on a disposable towel, and use that towel to turn off the faucet. Teach your grandkids this important habit to help the entire family stay healthy.

Medications. Know what medications you can give your grandchild in the event of illness. If you have any questions, call the child's doctor before giving any over-the-counter medications. Also, kids who are 12 years old or younger should never be given aspirin, as it has been linked to Reye syndrome, a serious illness that can cause nausea, vomiting, and behavioral changes, and often requires treatment in a hospital. Also, never give a child medication that has been prescribed to someone else, whether it's an adult or child. Even if two people have the same illness, they may require different drugs with different doses and directions.

Sleep. Infants younger than 1 should be placed on their backs to sleep to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Infants should not be placed on their stomachs or their sides to sleep. Babies should sleep in a crib or bassinet on a firm mattress, without soft bedding, plush toys or other soft objects. Loose bedding, such as

blankets and sheets, should be tucked under the crib mattress to avoid covering the infant's face.

Other ways to lower the risk of SIDS include:

- Keep room temperature comfortable and avoid over-bundling.

- Give the infant a pacifier at naptime and bedtime, but do not force it if the baby refuses it.

- Do not replace a pacifier that has fallen out during sleep.

- Do not expose the infant to cigarette smoke.

- In addition, infants who sleep in the same room (though not the same bed) as their mothers have a lower risk of SIDS. Consider having a crib or bassinet in the room where you or the child's parents sleep.

Vaccines. Immunizations are one of the most important ways to keep kids - and everyone around them - healthy. Find out if your grandchildren are up to date on all their immunizations. In addition, it is particularly important for grandparents to get their annual flu shot. Anyone who has a chronic illness, such as diabetes or heart disease, or is 65 or older is considered in the high-risk group and should get flu shots every year. Flu shots are also recommended for any adult between the ages of 50 and 64.

TV, computers and video games. Kids under 2 years old should not have any time in front of a screen, including TVs, DVDs or videos, and computers. After age 2, kids should have no more than 1 to 2 hours of quality programming a day. Offer your grandchild a variety of activities to try instead. The TV should be turned off during meals and homework, and you can set a good example by limiting your own TV watching. To help you decide what programs are appropriate for your grandchild, look for age-group rating tools on some TV programs and video games (they're usually listed onscreen).

Numbers to know

Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222. If you have a poisoning emergency, call for the poison control center in your area.

Police/Ambulance: If your grandchild has collapsed or is not breathing, call 911 or local emergency numbers.

Phone number for your grandchild's doctor.

Parents' work and cell phone numbers.