Healthy Kids

Stay safe

Toddlers are in constant motion. How many times today did your child run from the kitchen to the bedroom or switch from playing with blocks to chasing a ball? Their energy and curiosity never seem to stop.

All of this is healthy for your toddler’s developing body and mind. But it can pose safety risks. You need to find a balance between letting your kid be a kid – busy moving and busy learning – and teaching and setting limits to keep him safe.

There are 3 essential components to keeping your child safe: prevent, teach, and supervise.

Prevent

Preventing harm is the goal of all safety measures. It helps to think like a toddler. Look at each part of your home and yard and ask yourself: If I were 15 months old, what would I want to touch? Where would I try to climb? How could I get to something I want to play with?

Organize your child’s environment to eliminate as much risk as possible. Make your home a place where your child can be as active as he wants and still be safe.

Prevent poisoning by keeping cleaning products and medicines in locked cabinets out of your child’s reach.

Prevent burns by:

• Making sure that your child can’t grab hot pots, curling irons, or coffee cups.
• Installing smoke detectors and checking the batteries regularly.
• Placing plastic plugs in all electrical sockets.
• Turning the hot water heater down to less than 120° to prevent scalding burns.

Prevent drowning by being aware that:

• Toddlers can get stuck in mop buckets and drown; the same goes for bathtubs.
• If you have a pool or spa, be sure it is fenced and covered. The American Academy of Pediatrics has specific guidelines on Water Safety.

Prevent falls by making sure he cannot fall from high places, trip over objects, or fall against furniture or other objects that lead to injuries.

Teach

Teaching your child about danger and risk is a lifelong job for every parent. Start by teaching him concepts like “hot” to prevent burns and “stop” so he will freeze in place so you can come to his aid.

Remember that long explanations and trying to reason with a toddler don’t work. Keep your rules simple and your safety talks short. Learn more about teaching your child self-control on the KidsHealth Web site.

Supervise

No matter how much you try to prevent accidents and teach your toddler about safety, just being a toddler can put him in danger’s way. Most drownings occur with parents just steps away. Same with most burns and falls. Child safety gates can limit access to the kitchen, but almost every toddler will figure out a way over them. Do not assume that your toddler will not try.

Make sure an adult watches your toddler at all times. This means you need a plan: Who’s on patrol duty?

When you are at home alone with your toddler:

• Bring him with you when you need to use the toilet - give him a toy or a book.
• Put off showers until another adult is at home and can watch your toddler.
• When you put him in a playpen, make sure you can see and hear him. He may be upset, but crying will not hurt him the way falling off a kitchen counter can.

You do not want to eliminate all risk while your child grows up. He needs to learn natural consequences: if you run too fast you can fall. However, toddlers do not connect activity and curiosity with being cautious. Paying close attention to prevention, teaching about safety, and supervising him is a big part of parenting your toddler. Your constant eye to safety must match his constant motion and curiosity.