Take steps to keep your active toddler safe

Baby is on the move! And with that increased mobility, independence and curiosity comes new safety challenges. Put your mind at ease with a few tips and tricks to keep your not-so-little one safe.

In this article: 

Be prepared

Even the most carefully watched child can have an emergency. Prepare for what to do if your toddler needs emergency care, so you’ll be ready if it happens.

Program important numbers into your phone:

  • Poison control (1.800.222.1222)
  • Your pediatrician’s office
  • A childcare provider if siblings need care during an emergency
  • Choose someone to be an emergency contact in case you can’t be reached.

 

Prep for an unexpected emergency:

  • Make a first-aid kit with emergency instructions.
  • Familiarize yourself with CPR and the Heimlich maneuver. Even if you know how to use them for adults, techniques are different for toddlers and young children.
  • Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Check them regularly to ensure the batteries are working properly.

Be safe outside

Outdoor play is great for your little one, but extra precautions are a good idea for a toddler on the go.

  • Consider the area. Look for blind spots where your child could slip out of sight, uneven ground and water. Even shallow pools and puddles may pose a drowning hazard.
  • When swimming, keep within an arm’s length of your child. Consider swimming lessons for your toddler but keep them within your sight even if they’ve had lessons. Drowning can happen quickly and without warning.
  • Always put sunscreen on your child when outside. Consider keeping some in the diaper bag or car so it’s always available.
  • Keep your child hydrated and have a water bottle on hand, especially on hot days.
  • Never leave your child alone outside. In group settings, make sure you designate someone to watch your child if you have to leave briefly. Don’t assume others are watching your toddler.

Make your home safe

Childproofing your home is a bit like babyproofing. You need to look at your home with a new set of eyes. Consider crawling through your house on hands and knees to look for potential dangers.

  • Anchor furniture to the walls. Toddlers love to explore, and dressers, cabinets, and bookshelves are prone to tipping over if climbed on. Bookcases and dressers might seem sturdy but can become top-heavy when items are taken off or shelves are pulled out.
  • Keep furniture away from windows, and know that a screen does not offer protection from falling out of one. Children can fall from a window open as little as five inches, so ensure you have a childproof window guard.
  • Be aware of lead poisoning if you live in an older home. Most children get lead poisoning from paint in homes built before 1978. When old paint cracks and peels, it makes dangerous dust. The dust is so small you cannot see it. Most children get lead poisoning if they breathe or swallow the dust on their hands and toys. Make sure to talk to your child's provider about lead screening tests at their well-child checkups.
  • Keep household chemicals on high shelves and/or behind locked cupboards.
  • Make sure exterior doors are locked to keep your little one from leaving the house.
  • If your house has stairs:
    • Use a safety gate at your child’s bedroom door rather than the top of the staircase. A gate at the stairway poses a risk of falling from the top floor if your child climbs over it.
    • Teach your toddler how to go up and down stairs backward and forward, and to stop for breaks if they get tired.
  • If there are guns in the home, make sure they are stored unloaded and locked, preferably in a place that is locked and your toddler cannot access.

Adopt safe behaviors

A safe home starts with childproofing, but safe behaviors are important too.

  • Clean up spills around the home right away. A curious toddler can ingest something they shouldn’t or slip on an unstable surface, especially when you’re distracted by what caused the mess.
  • Don’t put a car seat on top of a counter or on furniture. Your little one is not so little anymore. Rocking or moving in the seat could cause the seat to fall off an elevated surface.
  • Don’t leave your toddler unattended on a changing table or bed.

Small changes to your home and to your routine can prioritize safety without having it feel like a full time job. A safe home, safe behaviors and safety outdoors mean a safe toddler.