Safety Precautions for Toddlers

Children are like lightning - here, there and everywhere. This is especially true for toddlers who are too old to be safely plonked in their cots and too young to take care of themselves. Research shows that most toddler injuries occur at home and almost 99% of them are easily avoidable with just a little bit of care and some commonsense tips.

 • Children tend to put everything in their mouths. So don't give your baby any toy that he can choke on. Also make sure, once your toddler starts crawling or walking, that the carpet and the floor are free from any small objects such as buttons, loose coins, pins etc., that he might put in his mouth.

 • Don't leave him alone to play with things like ribbon, wool or string because these can get wound round his neck or fingers and toes, cutting off blood supply. Take care to keep even small plastic bags away from the child since there is the danger of suffocation.

 • Cover electric sockets with a mask tape. The child is curious, he just might decide to stick his finger in it and get a bad shock. Similarly, make sure that things like matches or lighters are kept out of reach and out of sight.

 • Never leave hot drinks or glass objects on tables or on the floor. Avoid using hanging tablecloths that your child could tug and spill. Check to see that there is nothing to tempt your baby into tugging and pulling onto himself such as flimsy tables or even wires of a lamp.

 • When your baby starts crawling or walking, make sure that potentially dangerous areas such as stairs, banisters, railing on the balcony, windows, etc. are kept blocked or locked so that the baby can't fall through, over or under them.

 • Always keep household chemicals, cleansers, bleach, medicines, alcohol, garden tools, sharp implements like razors, knives and scissors either locked away or completely out of reach.

 • Never leave your child alone while he is near water or fire, while he is bathing, eating or drinking. In fact this is the best safety precaution you can take. Always have a responsible adult supervising the child's activities so that nothing injurious or dangerous can happen to the child.

These are a few very simple ways with which we can create a safe home for the child. They allow children to have the freedom to explore and experiment in order to develop and at the same time ensure their safety and security. 

Author,

Sudha Gupta