The curiosity and energy of toddlers can seem endless. Keeping up with your bundle of boundless enthusiasm isn't easy. Protecting her can be even more difficult. Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death in children 1 to 4 years old in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Accident prevention takes time and forethought, but your child's safety is worth the effort.
Child Safety Seats
Motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause of accidental death in toddlers. A properly installed car seat can protect your child if you're in a collision. Review the manufacturer's instructions for your child's car seat. Verify that it's installed correctly and your child meets recommended weight and height limits. Look for signs of wear and indications that the seat may be broken and in need of replacement. Check harnesses and buckles. They should be snug, but not pinch. Keep in mind that when your child reaches a year of age and weighs more than 20 pounds, she's ready for a forward-facing car seat.
Water Safety
Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death in toddlers. Eliminate water hazards in your home. Never leave your child alone around pools, hot tubs, or standing water or other liquids. Remove open buckets from areas where your toddler can reach them. Use toilet locks to keep toilet lids closed and shut bathroom doors. Resist the temptation to leave your toddler alone or under the care of a sibling for "just a minute". It only takes a moment for a tragedy to occur. In the event that one does, parents and caregivers should be familiar with infant and child CPR.
Fire and Burn Prevention
Children ages 5 and under are more than twice as likely to die in a fire as the rest of the population, according to Safe Kids USA. Place smoke detectors on every floor, in corridors and in sleeping rooms. Practice fire drills with your child monthly, testing your fire alarm at the same time to ensure that it's operating properly. Install and maintain a fire extinguisher with instructions for use nearby. Keep matches and lighters out of reach. Use child safety gates to help protect children from hot stoves and portable heaters.
Choking and Strangulation Hazards
Check the age appropriateness of any toys or items that your child plays with. Choking hazards like marbles, coins and uninflated balloons can block your child's airway. Keep these smaller items picked up and out of reach. A good rule of thumb is, if it is small enough to fit inside a toilet paper roll, it is small enough to block your child's airway. Also, clothing drawstrings, window blind cords and similar items pose a strangulation and entrapment hazard to toddlers. Remove clothing drawstrings and tie blind and drapery cords up and out of your toddlers reach.
References
- U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: The Safe Nursery
- Safe Kids USA: Little Kids (1-4 years)
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: 10 Leading Causes of Deaths in Age Group 1-3
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: 10 Leading Causes of Injury Death by Age Group United States - 2006
