The Top 10 Ways to Keep an
Active Toddler Safe
Parents always say, "I just looked away for a minute"
when serious accidents happen to their toddlers. Safety
First!
1. Be watchful of balloons.
Many parents do not realize that when a toddler swallows
a balloon, it will probably be difficult to do the
Heimlich maneuver to clear the child's air passages. If
your child is walking around trying to blow up a
balloon, their very life could be in peril moments
later. The same holds true for popped balloon pieces
that children put in their mouths.
2. Monitor your toddler's interaction with dogs
closely.
Many children have their faces permanently scarred each
year by a dog that suddenly bites or claws the child.
Toddlers can accidentally provoke even the most docile
dogs by their unpredictable behavior.
3 Post the phone number for the poison control center
by your upstairs and your downstairs phones.
Toddlers are known to ingest cleaning products,
medications, etc.
4. Keep your child out of your car unless accompanied
by an adult.
Children should never be permitted inside of the family
car without vigilant supervision. At this age, children
easily knock cars out of the park gear, which can lead
to the child's death, whether or not the car is running.
5. Watch your child at all times when they're in the
bathtub.
Many parents leave the room when their child is in the
bathtub to answer the phone or the door bell. Even a
brief moment away from your child in the bathtub can
mean brain damage or death. Even toddlers who know how
to swim can slip, hit their head, and drown.
6. Delegate duties when you are tired.
This is not a good age to ease up on the constant
monitoring of your child's safety.
7. Schedule the CPR class that you have been putting
off since the pregnancy.
One evening invested in this class could save your
child's life.
8. Permit your child to eat only when they are
sitting down.
Children who are allowed to walk around while eating can
easily choke on their food. When the air passage is
blocked you only have moments to clear the passage to
prevent brain damage and death.
9. Find places where your child can roam freely and
safely, such as the park.
This freedom to roam sends a message from you to your
child that they can express themselves and take
initiative in life. In contrast, many children feel
constrained by houses, sidewalks, car seats, high
chairs, etc.
10. Never let your child walk into the street, even
in a safe neighborhood.
It is best for your toddler to have too much respect for
the danger of being in the street than to have too
little respect for how dangerous it is to be in the
street.
