Being a parent of one or more toddlers can be a bit of a hassle, especially if you have more than one. It’s not all the time that you keep your eyes on them, most parents will admit. Still, you do the best you can. Children have accidents in part because of their curiosity about the world. They are undeveloped, after all, and thus unaware of the consequences of their actions.
In the United States, a large chunk of preventable child injuries occur in the home. Rospa, a risk management company, reported statistics on toddlers ages 4 and under. Most children of that age are likely to have a serious accident on the stairs and in the kitchen, according to Rospa, though most occur in the living or dining room. In these rooms, poisoning, drowning, suffocation, and falling are among the most common accidents to end fatally.
4 Kitchen/Bathroom Safety Tips
The kitchen is notorious for containing every cleaning product you need to keep up hygiene. So, child safety locks are a must for locking cabinets with harmful bleaches and detergents.
When using the stove, assure that all hot objects are out of reach. Children can unexpectedly reach up towards the stove from underneath you. This goes for hot food and beverages sitting at the edge of any surface.
In the bathroom, similar hazards exist. Along with locks on the sink cabinet, you can lock the lid of the toilet. Or, if that’s too inconvenient, one lock on the bathroom door alone will do.
And when it’s bath time, non-slip mats in the tub can prevent any sudden tripping that can cause your little ones to bump their heads.
3 Living Room Safety Precautions
It’s no wonder why accidents are more likely to occur in the living room. The living room is a communal place where children likely spend most of their time throughout the day and parents feel safer leaving. The dangers that can arise from this are numerous, unfortunately.
All power outlets and power strips should be covered to keep children from electrocuting themselves.
Moreover, any open flames should be set out of reach from children; the mantle makes a perfect place if you possess one.
Most importantly, if you have a standing TV, ensure that your child doesn’t move it by using Velcro straps. Kids under four are in their crawling phase and will often reach out for support. If they’re able to pull it, they’re likely to be hurt by the weight.
2 Stair Safety Measures
Falling is the “leading cause of nonfatal injuries in children.” A whopping 43 percent makes up the children’s portion for all accidental falls. Because of this, it can be frightening to think of your child and the stairs at the same time.
Clear the objects blocking the path at the top of the stairs, but a safety fence at the top of the stairs is most preferable.
When they reach 4, children should be instructed on how to walk up and down the stairs: slowly, with their hand always gripping the railing. Of course, a child should always be supervised or assisted when going from one floor to another until they’re older and can do so safely on their own.
If all else fails, try communicating these things to your child. Pointing out the hazards in a comical way can teach your child what to recognize as “bad.”
Start by reinforcing rules that point out:
- That all utensils are off-limits without an adult present
- To walk carefully in bathrooms and up the stairs
- To not leave toys in front of doorways and stairways
- To not stick objects into the mouth or nose