Final answer:
Staff must prevent infants from being unattended near water, avoid giving them access to small or toxic objects, and ensure a safe sleeping environment to prevent drowning, poisoning, and reduce risks of SIDS.
Step-by-step explanation:
Safe Handling of Infants
When holding infants, staff must be vigilant to avoid engagement in actions that could endanger the well-being of the child. It is crucial not to leave infants unattended, especially around sources of water like bathtubs and buckets to prevent the risk of drowning. Understanding the importance of infants' reflexes such as the Moro reflex and the grasping reflex, which help them hold onto their caregiver, is essential for ensuring their safety in various situations. Additionally, staff must be careful to ensure that infants do not have access to small objects or toxic substances that they might put in their mouths, which can pose serious health risks. To reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), infants should be placed on their backs to sleep in environments free from suffocation hazards, avoiding overheating and exposure to smoke.