Parents, child care providers, and any caregivers of children at this age know that there’s no rest when it comes to supervising a toddler; for them, life is one big adventure. Here are some tactics to keep your beloved and active youngster out of harm’s way at home and on the go.
Cook on the back burners and turn pot handles away so they aren’t in a child’s reach.Remove stove knobs or use a child-proof cover so that little ones can’t turn on gas burners.Keep knives, forks, scissors, and anything else sharp (such as food processors with sharp blades) in a latched drawer or cupboard.Drink hot beverages out of spill-proof and unbreakable travel mugs to avoid burns.Never leave dangling cords; unplug items when not in use and store, and those that are used, keep cords wrapped tightly with a twist tie.Store cleaning fluids in a locked cabinet out of sight and temptation.Don’t allow access to the pantry.Keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen.Do not use refrigerator magnets that are small enough for your child to choke on or swallow.
Bath time with a toddler can be fun or a challenge (depending on the day) but a tub of unattended water always poses a drowning risk for little ones. Remember to always drain the bathtub after bath time. When your child is in the tub, supervise them 100% of the time. It depends on the child, but most cannot be left alone in a bathtub until they are at least five or six years old. In addition to drowning risks from the tub and toilet, bathrooms are home to small electrical appliances, such as hair dryers, that can cause electrocution, burns, and strangulation (from the loose cords). Keep these items locked up when not in use. Plungers can make a fun (if disgusting) play toy to a toddler. While it might be the most convenient spot, don’t leave the tool sitting by the toilet. Overall, It’s a good idea to limit access to the bathroom with a safety gate or lock. There is too much temptation and danger. Install a doorknob cover or a hook-and-eye latch out of reach on the outside of the bathroom door so that kids cannot get in by themselves. Always keep the door shut when not in use. So that kids cannot lock themselves in the bathroom, use a doorknob without a lock or switch the handle so that the door locks and unlocks from the outside. Other tips to keep in mind include:
Keep electrical cords out of reach and use outlet covers.Child-proof window treatment cords to prevent strangulation: Choose cordless window coverings, if possible; or keep cords well out of reach by tying them up high and keeping furniture away from windows.Secure furniture, televisions, and other electronic equipment to avoid any potential for tipping over on a child.Use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Do not use pressure-mounted gates at the top of the stairs; use gates that are screwed into the wall.Clear tempting items from tabletops.Place bumper guards on the edges of furniture to reduce the chance of head injury if a child trips and falls onto a corner or edge.Move furniture away from windows to prevent kids from trying to climb out (especially in upstairs rooms).
Lamps: Children may pull the cord or the base and topple the lamp onto their head (causing head injuries). Use wall-mounted lamps or overhead lighting instead.Curtains: Kids may try to climb them, pulling the rod off the wall and down onto their head or body. Rugs: Little ones may slip and fall on an area rug. Use a grip pad underneath.Candles: To help prevent fires, never leave a candle burning unattended, and keep matches in a locked area.
Cute table lamps and rocking chairs that were so precious in an infant’s room can now spell disaster if a toddler starts standing on the chair or can reach for the lamp and remove it from its base. Be sure pictures are mounted solidly on the walls. Any piece of furniture that is taller than it is deep, especially items with shelves or drawers that a child may try to climb, must be anchored to the wall. If you do keep a gun in your home, it’s essential to store it unloaded, in a locked box or safe. Ammunition must be kept separately, and also locked up. Never let your child handle a gun, even if it is unloaded. Keep kiddie pools drained when not in use. Make sure that power tools and garden equipment are safe and out of reach. The same holds true for any chemicals like insecticides. Never, ever leave your toddler unattended in a car, and make sure they cannot access the car on their own. Toddlers die in hot cars when they climb in and get stuck, so keys should be kept out of reach and the car should be kept locked when unoccupied. Other hot-car deaths happen when an adult forgets the child, usually due to a change in routine. To help prevent this, put something in the back seat that your need (phone, purse, etc.) to remind you to check the back seat where your child is when you get out of the car. Children should be taught that the car is not a place to play. Having kids sit on parents’ laps in the driver’s seat is very dangerous, as it tells the child that cars are places to play). Be sure that kids cannot open a door or window from their seat (use child locks, as needed). Also think about safety practices when getting in and out of the car, such as carefully opening and shutting doors to prevent smashed finger injuries.
Guns: Ask whether there are any guns in the home. If so, they must be locked and unloaded, with ammunition locked separately.Pools: Find out what safeguards are in place to keep children from accessing swimming pools or other water sources.Pets: Animal bites are a significant source of injury for kids, so talk to your host in advance about how to keep pets and kids separated and safe.
Medicine cabinets, drawers, and other “unsafe” areas can tempt toddlers, and it only takes a moment for them to get into danger. If possible, bring entertainment for your toddler and designate a single “safe room” for your youngster to stay in. Kids should be clear about the rules of hand-holding and other safety measures, and parents should enforce those rules. If your child can’t or won’t hold your hand, use a leash so your child can only go a few feet from you. Some attach to your child’s wrist; others attach to a backpack your child wears. Carefully consider toys like trampolines, spinning toys, scooters, bouncing balls, in-line skates, and other popular items that can be potentially dangerous. If you do buy such an item, be sure to follow safety recommendations and supervise your child’s use closely. Age-appropriate programs can be a great outlet for a toddler’s energy as well as provide exercise and coordination practice. Just beware of programs that don’t take younger kids’ limitations into account, as these activities may put them at risk for injuries or accidents.
