subject: Toddler Safety Tips [print this page] Injury is the leading cause of death in children!
Whether at home, in the class room, or out in public, keeping preschoolers and toddlers safe should be a high priority for everyone. There are several areas that need to be addressed to ensure that children are not injured, either by their own actions or by others. These areas include providing a safe and secure environment for children to play in, keeping a close eye on their activities, and teaching them proper behavior.
Small children are not only active; they are naturally curious. They will touch, grab, eat, climb on, run through, jump on, and otherwise assault items that adults take for granted. For this reason all play ground equipment and toys need to be sturdy, free of sharp edges and toxic materials, and kept as clean as possible. Be sure to scout the play area regularly and remove any broken toys and small items that could be ingested; check playground structures to make sure they are stable; and clean all toys and equipment on a regular basis.
Never leave children unattended in a any of these places: public areas such as a store or theater; public or private playgrounds; around water sources (even in the bathroom); kitchen areas; near streets, parking lots, or sidewalks; or in the company of other children. Hidden dangers (like electrical outlets) may even lurk their own bedrooms.In fact, 45 % of unintentional injury related deaths occur in the home! About the only place toddlers can be safely left unattended is in bed, and even then it is wise to invest in a child monitoring system.
Teaching Preschoolers lessons on proper behavior can save a their lives. Make sure they know it is not alright to run in parking lots or play in the street. Help them recognize "safe" adults they can go to if lost and "strangers" they should not speak to. Stop them from jumping and running indoors when there are items that they could injure themselves on, like sharp table edges or lamps. Teach them their name, address, phone number and the names of their parents. Train them to respond to the word "NO!" so that if you see they are heading into danger you can get them to stop instantly.
If you adhere to these simple rules you will greatly reduce the chance of a child receiving serious accidental injury, and you may even save a life!
