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Toddler Safety

toddler safety This photo is licensed under cc by sa 2.0 by david owen

What is the first thing you think about when considering toddler safety? Is it your backyard swimming pool? The hazardous chemicals under your kitchen sink? The stovetop? The family car? Whichever it is, it needs to be addressed before an accident occurs.

Although you may have already baby-proofed your home, you still need to get it toddler-proofed once your toddler can crawl and toddle around.

Suddenly things become much easier for her to reach, pull down, spill, and/or knock over. Therefore, toddler safety should be a major concern and a priority issue in parenting toddlers.

Even though toddlers are able to learn many life lessons through accidents, sometimes the consequences of their actions can result in very serious injury.

Did you know that the leading cause of injury and death, during childhood is serious unintentional injury - which occurs greatest amongst the one to four year old age group - the toddler years?

Sad But True, Most Accidents Occur at Home...

Accidents caused by drowning, car accidents, burns and scalds, choking, suffocation, poisoning and electrocution are serious injuries that are mostly avoidable.

And the most common place for injuries to happen, unfortunately, is at home, the place where you think toddler safety is at its best.

There are so many areas in your house that need to be toddler-proofed. Here is a general guide for making your home a safe place for your toddler: -

Kitchen

  • Make sure the cords on your electrical appliances do not dangle over the edge of the kitchen bench
  • Use the back hotplate on your stove when cooking whenever possible and turn pot handles around to face the splashback. If possible install a stove guard
  • Keep your knives and other sharp objects out of reach of your toddler
  • Store all cleaning products containing dangerous chemicals and medications in a locked cupboard, preferably in a high above the floor
  • Keep a fire blanket near your stove
  • Restrict access to your kitchen by installing a child safety gate
  • Put toddler-proof latches on all drawers and cupboards

    • Bathroom

  • Use rubber non-slip mats in the bath tub and install a hand rail for your toddler to hold on to
  • Store medications in a high, locked cupboard, out of your tot's reach
  • Store all electrical appliances such as hairdryers and electric shavers safely away from water when not in use
  • Test the temperature of the bath water before putting your toddler in the bath
  • Make sure your hot water tap cannot be operated by your toddler

    • Living Room

  • Arrange furniture away from the windows
  • Cover all sharp edges on tables and other furniture
  • Make sure any bookcases are stable, to avoid tipping. Do not place heavy objects on top of bookcases and if possible attach bookcases to the wall
  • Keep blind and curtain cords out of reach, preferably install child-safe hooks to tie up the cords
  • Install safety glass on doors wherever possible
  • Keep rugs and mats secure to prevent tripping and falls
  • Do not place dangerous items for example hot tea and coffee, peanuts and knives, on low-level tables such as coffee tables

    • Toddler's Bedroom

  • Arrange your toddlers cot/bed and other furniture away from the window and power points
  • Ensure the space between vertical cot railings is between 50mm and 85mm wide
  • Ensure all toys are suitable for toddlers

    • Laundry

  • Store cleaning products, bleaches and detergents in child-resistant cupboards
  • If possible restrict access to the laundry by putting a lock on the door

    • Garden and Backyard/Outdoors

  • If you have one, lock your garden shed at all times
  • Keep all pesticides, paints and other poisons clearly labelled and out of reach
  • Check your toddler's outdoor play equipment such as swings and slippery-slide for damage or wear and tear that could be potentially dangerous
  • Install a pool fence at least 1.2m high, surrounding all four sides of the pool, ensuring there are no gaps to climb through. The fence should have a working self-closing, self-latching gate
  • Make sure all your plants and flowers in your garden are not the poisonous type (toddlers can and will put anything into their mouths)
  • Never leave your toddler and pet alone and out of your sight

    • General Household Considerations

  • Install a safety switch to prevent electrocution
  • Install smoke detectors in appropriate places around the house - ground floor and first floor for double-storey dwellings
  • Turn the hot water system down to prevent scalds
  • Place plastic safety covers on all power points not in use
  • Consider installing a fence in your front yard that restricts access to the street and your drive way
  • Keep matches and lighters out of reach

    • Remember - make toddler safety a priority!

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