ACS - Keeping Children Safe
Administration for Children's Services
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Keeping Children Safe & Supporting Families
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Child Safety Resources
Child Abuse/Neglect
Foster/Adopt
Parent Support
Keeping Children Safe
Safe Sleep for Infants
Poison Prevention
Cannabis Edibles
Water and Pool Safety
Shaken Baby Syndrome
Window Guard Safety
Look Before You Lock
Bicycle and Scooter Safety
Playground Safety
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Keeping Children Safe
It takes all of us working together to give children healthy, happy, and safe childhoods. These resources provide information to help keep children safe.
Tiny Moments, Big Safety
Learn how to avoid some of the most common and dangerous child and infant-related injuries.
Safe Sleep for Infants
: Tips on how to create a safe sleep environment for your infant.
Poison Prevention
: Learn about how to keep your children safe from medicine & other dangerous household products.
Cannabis Edibles
: Many cannabis edibles look like candy or food to children, but they are dangerous. Learn more about how to store them safely.
Water and Pool Safety
: Learn about how to keep your child safe in or around water.
Shaken Baby Syndrome
: Protect your infant from abusive head trauma
Window Guard Safety
: Information on installing lifesaving window guards.
Look Before You Lock
: Children should never be left unattended or be able to get inside a vehicle on their own, any time of the year but especially in warmer months.
Bicycle and Scooter Safety
: Tips on bicycling and scootering safely.
Playground Safety
: Tips for playground safety.
Fire Prevention
ACS and our partners invite you to join us in spreading awareness about the importance of fire safety. During the winter months especially, many families use portable electric space heaters to help keep warm. The fatal fire that took place on January 9, 2022 in the Bronx - sparked by a defective electric heater and claiming the lives of 17 people, including eight children - is a tragic reminder to all New Yorkers to practice fire safety.
Please use and share the following fire and burn prevention safety tips and resources:
FDNY Smart:
The FDNY Fire Safety Education Unit provides videos, podcasts and literature on all aspects of fire safety. The literature and website are available in over 20 different languages. They also provide in person and virtual presentations. Learn more at
www.FDNYSmart.org
Safe Kids Worldwide:
This nonprofit organization works to help families and communities keep children safe from injuries, and offers the following fire safety guidance and tips for parents:
Fire safety checklist
Fire safety tips
Home fire escape plans
All children deserve to live without the fear of abuse and neglect. If you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, make that call.
Report Child Abuse & Neglect
If a child is in immediate danger, call
911
If you suspect child abuse or neglect:
Call the NY State Central Register (SCR)
Child Abuse & Maltreatment Hotline 24/7
General Public:
800-342-3720
Mandated Reporters:
800-635-1522
Deaf/Hard of Hearing:
800-638-5163
You can also call
311
in NYC.
How to make a report
Abandoned Infant Protection Act
New York State’s Abandoned Infant Protection Act
allows a parent to abandon a newborn baby up to 30 days of age anonymously and without fear of prosecution - if the baby is abandoned in a safe manner. A parent is not guilty of a crime if the infant is left
with an appropriate person
or in a
suitable location
and the parent
promptly notifies
an appropriate person of the infant’s location. A hospital, staffed police or fire station are examples of safe and suitable choices.
For more information regarding the Abandoned Infant Protection Act, call toll free:
866-505-SAFE (7233)
Feeling overwhelmed? - Get Help
Parenting is tough. Keeping your baby safe means looking after your own well-being.
Do you need support with concerns about past or present substance use?
BabySTEPs helpline
is a trusted, free and easy to use, confidential service for individuals who are pregnant or parenting a baby under one year old with concerns about past or present substance use. Connect with
BabySTEPs Helpline
today!
Throughout the City, resources are available to provide support services to overwhelmed parents. ACS can connect you to a wide range of free services and resources aimed at making families and communities stronger. To find services in your area, we encourage you to call the Support Line at
212-676-7667
or email
connect@acs.nyc.gov
Is your teen acting out? Contact the
Family Assessment Program (FAP)
in your borough for help.
Get Involved
We encourage you to get involved in the lives of children in your communities by tutoring, mentoring, coaching, or volunteering.
Adult Protective Services
To report abuse and neglect of an adult 18 years old and older, call the New York State Adult Protective Services at
844-697-3505
Learn more about NYC services for adults who are physically and/or mentally impaired
and need help to live safely in their homes.
Additional Resources
A Life to Love: Preventing Accidental Injury to Our Most Cherished Resource
Additional resources from the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS)