Toddlers are at an age when they are mobile enough to satisfy their curiosity, yet too young to understand or appreciate danger. KidsHealth reports that 70 percent of children who die from accidents at home each year are 4 years old and younger. Toddlers are crawling, walking, exploring and discovering. They are picking up small items, examining strange objects and, depending on their age, placing everything in their mouths. The best way to protect toddlers is to understand the safety issues, toddler-proof the home, set limits for toddlers and practice vigilance.
Choking And Suffocation
Toddlers can choke on small toys or pieces of toys. Age-appropriate toys for toddlers remove this hazard by ensuring there are no small parts for toddlers to swallow. Parents sometimes use a "choke tube" to see if a toy can fit down a child's throat. Check floors frequently to make sure there are no buttons, marbles, coins and other small objects a toddler might pick up. Drapery and window blind cords can lead to choking if the toddler's bed or other furniture is too close to a window or if the cords are accessible to the toddler in other rooms. Cordless window coverings are an option.
Water Safety
Toddlers may fearlessly enter a pool area, crawl into a hot tub or play in the toilet bowl. Toddlers, with most of their body weight in the top half of their bodies, can drown in as little as 1 inch of water, even in a toilet bowl. Toddlers can climb into bathtubs and turn on the water. Doorknob covers can prevent toddlers from getting into the bathroom and toilet locks prevent them from lifting the toilet seat. Swimming pool enclosures and locked hot tub covers can prevent toddlers from getting into the water.
Fire, Burns And Electricity
Toddlers who find matches, lighters or fireplace lighters can learn to use them with time or if they have watched others use them. Fire hazards can be reduced by checking the home and removing any item that could become a fire hazard in the hands of a toddler. A curious toddler can stick items into unused electrical outlets--outlet covers can remove that hazard. To prevent scalding injuries, set water heater thermostats to 120 degrees F or lower. Ovens and outdoor grills are hazards if toddlers can reach the knobs, pull at pot handles or open doors and lids.
Poisoning
Many items in the home can cause poisoning hazards for toddlers: items under kitchen and bathroom sinks, items stored in garages and sheds, the contents of medicine cabinets and even household plants. Medications and vitamins found in a drawer or a purse can poison, as well. Remedies include child-resistant lids and packaging, locks on cabinet doors and drawers, and placing toxic substances out of reach of toddlers. Poison control experts recommend keeping ipecac syrup on hand, in a locked cabinet and keeping the toll-free poison control telephone number in a handy place. Residences built before 1978 may require testing for lead paint to prevent lead poisoning.
Falls
Toddlers may be fearless about stairs, windows and climbing on furniture. Screens may not prevent a toddler from falling from a window. Parents may use safety guards on windows that present a falling hazard for toddlers. Safety gates at the tops and bottoms of stairs prevent toddlers from attempting to use the stairs alone. Injuries can occur when toddlers climb furniture. If a toddler tips over heavy furniture he could be hurt in the fall or from furniture landing on him. Protecting toddlers from climbing dangers requires supervision. Slippery or cluttered floors are also fall hazards for toddlers.
Car Safety
Toddlers are best protected in cars when using an age-appropriate safety seat based on the child's height and weight. Parents may need to use child locks and window controls in the car to stop toddlers from opening doors and windows. Backing out of driveways can be a hazardous time if toddlers are walking about. Toddlers should not be left alone in cars, whether the car is running or the engine is off. Very hot weather makes a car a dangerous place to leave a toddler.
Great Outdoors
Many of the same hazards that exist indoors exist outdoors for toddlers. Even outdoors, a toddler may place found objects in his mouth. A toddler may run off because it is fun to be chased, but he is unaware of moving cars. In stores and other public places, if toddlers are walking, they can pick up items from the floor. People, of course, are a safety issue since toddlers may be too young to understand that strangers are not safe.
Preparation
Preparation is important for helping parents and caregivers respond appropriately to accidents and injuries. A well-supplied first aid kit is helpful in emergencies as is learning to perform age-appropriate CPR and the Heimlich maneuver. Keeping track of recall notices for toys, children's furniture, car seats and foods helps parents remove hazards quickly. Keep emergency and parent contact numbers handy, and post notes prominently about allergies and special instruction for your toddler's care.
