Home Safety Tips for Toddlers

Toddlers are a whirlwind of curiosity and exploration, and their boundless energy knows no bounds. While their inquisitiveness is a natural part of growing up, it’s essential to create a haven within your home where they can learn and play without unnecessary risks. Read the article to learn tips to protect your children in your house.

Water Safety

Drowning is a significant risk for toddlers, even in shallow water. To keep your child safe:

Always supervise your toddler during bath time.
Use slip-proof mats inside and outside the tub to prevent slips and falls.
Drain the tub immediately after use to eliminate any standing water.
Keep the toilet lid closed to prevent access.
Never leave your toddler unattended near any water source, whether it’s a bathtub, pool, pond, or lake.
Install secure barriers around backyard pools and hot tubs to restrict access.

Fire and Carbon Monoxide Safety

Protect your family from fire and carbon monoxide dangers:

Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on each level of your home and outside bedrooms. Regularly test them to ensure they function correctly.
Consider networked detectors that trigger all alarms when one activates.
Develop and practice a fire escape plan with your family.

Choking and Poisoning Prevention

Here are tips on how you can prevent choking and poisoning incidents with toddlers:

Constantly scan your floors for small objects that toddlers may swallow, such as coins, beads, buttons, pins, and pills. Get down to your child’s eye level to assess potential hazards.
Pay extra attention if there are older children with small toys or if hobbies involve tiny items.
Safeguard button or lithium coin batteries, which can be life-threatening when ingested or inhaled. Keep them out of your child’s reach.
Ensure all alcoholic beverages are stored in a locked cabinet, and promptly dispose of unfinished drinks.
Keep liquid nicotine and edible marijuana products out of your child’s reach.

Stair Safety

Experienced Phoenix personal injury attorneys at Sargon Law Group have handled numerous slip and fall accidents and recommend taking the following precautions to prevent accidents on stairs:

Install safety gates both at the top and bottom of stairs as your child learns to crawl and walk.
Avoid accordion-style gates that may trap limbs; opt for gates securely mounted to the home’s studs.
Consider carpeting stairs and ensure the edges are securely tacked down for traction.
If your home has hardwood floors, discourage your child from wearing socks, which can increase the risk of slips and falls.

Sleep Precautions

Sleep-related fatalities rank among the leading causes of death in infants, primarily attributable to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). These tragedies fall under the broader category of Sudden Unexplained Infant Deaths (SUID).

Always position your baby on their back to sleep, avoiding side or stomach positions to prevent suffocation or choking.
Ensure your baby sleeps in a crib or bassinet designed for infant sleep, avoiding bed-sharing to reduce the risk of SUID.
Practice room-sharing with your baby, allowing them to sleep in your room in a separate sleep space, like a crib, to help prevent SUID.
While breastfeeding, you can do so in bed, but after nursing, return your baby to their designated sleep space, positioning them on their back.

Bottom Line

As parents or guardians, ensuring the safety of our toddlers is an ongoing mission. By understanding the potential risks within our homes and taking proactive steps to mitigate them, we create a secure environment where toddlers can thrive. The tips provided here, from water safety to choking prevention and fire safeguards, empower us to strike the delicate balance between exploration and protection. Want more tips? Check out My Four and More’s website for guidance on different topics.