Toddlers, children between the ages of 1 and 4, have many safety concerns due to this age group's natural propensity for curiosity, lack of impulse control, experimentation, increased mobility and desire for more independence. Safety risks to toddlers include injuries or death suffered as a result of accidental poisoning, falls, burns, choking, drowning or entrapment inside appliances or under furniture. Most of these tragedies are preventable when proper safety precautions are in place.
Significance
Keeping toddlers safe from harm is the responsibility of all parents. Childproofing the home includes looking for hazards that compromise the safety of toddlers. Looking for potential dangers and proactively creating a safe environment prevents the possibility of a tragedy occurring. According to Safe Kids USA, accidents are the leading cause of death among children of this age. Spending time to safeguard the home and to purchase childproofing products helps to ensure a toddler's safety in all areas of the house.
Identification
Identifying potential safety hazards for children in the home environment includes looking at the environment from the toddler's perspective. Paying attention to what the toddler sees from his point of view and recognizing what types of items are inviting for the toddler helps identify possible danger areas. Constant supervision is necessary while caring for toddlers to prevent accidents before they occur.
Prevention/Solution
Preventing various accidents includes making sure that safety locks are installed on cabinets and toilet lids, that electrical outlets are covered, that children are never left unattended near water, that stairs have safety gates to prevent climbing and that all cords on appliances or blinds are out of reach. Keeping house water levels at the appropriate temperature, updating batteries on carbon monoxide and smoke alarms and locking up medications are all part of maintaining a safe environment for toddlers.
Considerations
Dropping off a toddler at a group daycare setting is a popular option for working parents. Ensuring that a toddler is safe in these settings requires that you observe the safety of the environment, cooperate with other parents to keep ill children at home and communicate about health concerns, food allergies or the use of medications. Parents should know each individual working with the child and confirm that the center requires background checks and ongoing staff training for their employees.
Benefits
Taking the time to maintain safety recommendations in the home, keeping up-to-date on child gear and toy recalls and closely monitoring your toddler are all worth the effort. Neglecting these responsibilities may result in tragedy. Set firm limits with toddlers and use safety words or signs to teach children about potential hazards in the environment.
