If you’re a new parent, you might be wondering how to keep your toddler safe from harm. Toddlers are curious, energetic, and eager to explore. And especially at the beginning of their toddler years, they have no fear of danger.
In order to keep your child out of harm’s way, you need to be prepared for any situation. You might not be able to prevent every accident or injury, but with a little planning, you can ensure that toddlers are safe at home.
Safety in the Home
The most important thing you can do is babyproof your home. As soon as your baby starts crawling and then walking, you’ll need to make sure that he or she won’t get into trouble.
- Keep electrical outlets covered with safety plugs. This is particularly important if there are electrical cords lying around from lamps or other appliances that are within easy reach of young children. If possible, remove the cords entirely or move the lamps to safer locations.
- You’ll want to get down on your knees and look around the house from a toddler’s perspective. This will help you see potential dangers that you wouldn’t otherwise notice.
- Keep medicines out of reach. Store them in cabinets with childproof locks. Never leave medicine in places where kids can easily reach them, such as a kitchen counter or table.
- Keep windows open less than four inches, so your child won’t fit through them. Make sure that screens are securely fastened so they don’t pop out when pushed on by a small body (and never use screens as protection against falls).
- Install safety latches on cabinets, especially those containing cleaning products and other chemicals. These will prevent curious toddlers from getting into things they shouldn’t.
- Lock up cleaning supplies such as bleach or ammonia, paints and paint thinners, antifreeze and other poisons or chemicals in cabinets that have childproof locks or latches so they don’t accidentally poison themselves if they manage to pull them out.
