- Arranging furniture and household items so you can provide some room for active toddlers to use their growing motor abilities
- Making sure that only age-appropriate items are within your baby’s reach, and all furniture is properly secured or bolted to the wall
Why it works:
Toddlers change constantly and continually demonstrate new interests and abilities. Young toddlers still may put things in their mouths, so any area they use must be free of small items that could be choking hazards. Active Supervision is a way to pay close attention and keep children safe, especially highly active children who are more likely to take risks when it comes to exploring the world around them. Bolting furniture to the wall can help prevent a tip-over tragedy among children in this age group who especially enjoy running, jumping, and climbing or just may be curious about an object that they can’t reach. Explaining what you do to stay safe helps children learn how to judge what is safe for them to do.
Safety Tip No. 2: Use a checklist to create safe environments
What families can do:
Create and maintain safe spaces by using a home safety checklist 19 to identify possible hazards and make sure your home is safe for an active toddler. Regularly inspect toys, furniture, and equipment to look for splinters, sharp edges, and loose pieces to ensure they are safe and working properly.
Why it works:
As toddlers learn new skills, their interaction with the environment changes, leading to new safety risks. To practice their motor skills, they need to be able to climb, walk, run, and jump safely. Inspecting toys, furniture, and equipment protects toddlers from injury. Using a home safety checklist, and keeping in mind your child’s needs and developmental abilities now and in the weeks to come, can help you identify possible hazards so you can remove, repair, and keep you child away from objects that could be harmful.
Safety Tip No. 3: Use safety devices
What families can do:
Get and use smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Properly installed and maintained smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors save lives. Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for where to place them. Your home visitor may be able to help you obtain these devices for free or at a reduced cost. Make a schedule to routinely check the batteries to make sure they work and you know when to change them. Have a fire escape plan that describes who will get the children out of the house and where you will meet once outside. Use safety devices such as outlet covers, cabinet locks, and baby gates.
Why it works:
Smoke alarms warn you that there is a fire so you can get your family out of the building quickly. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly, poisonous, odorless, and colorless gas. It may come from home heating and cooking devices. An alarm alerts you to unsafe CO levels in the home.
Many toddlers will try to climb or jump over whatever is in their way to get to what they want. You can support your toddler’s growing independence and curiosity by using inexpensive safety devices. This restricts access to objects and areas of the house that are not safe for toddlers to explore without supervision. For example, some toddlers may be able to open a door to get into a basement, run into the street, or even open a door in a moving car; you may need to use door knob covers, install a latch that was not necessary previously, and use child safety locks in the car.
Safety Tip No. 4: Make sure that windows are safe
What families can do:
Keep furniture and toys away from windows and blind cords. Curtains or cordless shades are safer than Roman shades or blinds with cords. Secure the cords and chains from window coverings so they are up and out of reach. Make sure windows either open from the top or have guards so they can’t open more than 4 inches.
Why it works:
Cords from window blinds are a strangulation hazard. Inexpensive cord safety devices are available from retail stores if you have blinds with cords. Windows can be a source of falls even when they are closed, and can pose a hazard to toddlers who are interested in what is happening outside and are becoming more active every day. A window screen is not designed to protect a child from falling.
Safety Tip No. 5: Be aware of and keep all poisons out of children’s reach
What families can do:
If you live in a house or apartment built before 1978, it may have lead paint. You can talk to your home visitor as well as your landlord, health care provider, and local health department to find out if you have lead paint in your home, and if so, what to do. Toddlers learn about their environment by exploring objects using all of their senses. Inspect your home for poisonous materials. Check to make sure indoor and outdoor plants [PDF, 197KB] are not poisonous. Place all cleaning products, chemicals, and toxic materials in locked cabinets. Craft and play materials should say they are "non-toxic." Store any products that say "keep out of reach of children" and everyday items like toothpaste out of reach. Store medications up and away. Make sure that people who live with or visit you put away their coats, purses, bags, and backpacks so that a toddler cannot reach inside for medications [PDF, 455KB] or other unsafe items. Avoid using chemicals near toddlers. Post Poison Control information in a central location.
Why it works:
There are many poisons throughout the home. Some are obvious, but others may be harder to identify. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, "every minute of every day, a poison control center answers a call about a young child getting into medicine." 20 Indoor and outdoor plants, paint, craft materials, and medications are hazardous if toddlers put them in their mouth or spill chemicals on their skin. A small amount of lead is harmful to a child who swallows or breathes in dust that you may not even be able to see. Even everyday items like makeup and toothpaste can be poisonous if eaten in large quantities. To keep toddlers safe, store toxic products in locked cabinets and keep personal items out of children's reach.
Safety Tip No. 6: Check the temperature of your hot water
What families can do:
Set the temperature on your hot water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower and check the water temperature on the inside of your wrist before bathing your child.
Why it works:
Toddlers have thin skin that burns easily. To prevent burns from scalding water in the tub or faucet, make sure that the temperature on your water heater is not higher than 120 degrees.
Safety Tip No. 7: Keep hot foods and liquids out of reach
What families can do:
Don’t hold your child when you are holding hot food or a hot beverage, cooking on the stove, or taking food out of the microwave. Place hot liquids and foods in the center of the counter or a table that is not at your child’s level. Make sure that the microwave and cords from appliances that may contain hot liquids, such as a coffee pot or crock pot, are not in reach. Keep pots on the back burner of the stove with the handles turned inward. Teach toddlers that it is not safe to climb onto a counter and turn the water on themselves. Help them use their growing independence to try to play at a comfortable distance when you are cooking. When using the microwave or stove, it is not safe for toddlers to be in the kitchen without supervision.
Why it works:
Hot liquids and steam are more likely to burn a young child’s skin from even brief contact with a hot substance that adults find comfortable. Some kitchen items contain hot liquid, such as a coffee pot or crock pot. Be sure appliances and their cords are not within reach. If young children grab your arm when you are holding hot food or drinks, or pull on a dangling cord or the edge of a tablecloth, hot food or liquid can spill on them. In one study, 90.4 percent of scald injuries to children under age 5 were related to hot cooking or drinking liquids. 21 Using a baby gate so your toddler can’t go into the kitchen without you when you are cooking can prevent burns to a young child.
Safety Tip No. 8: Prevent drowning
What families can do:
Be aware of any body of water around the home, such as pools, ponds, or lakes. Always stay hands-on when bathing your toddler. Never leave a toddler alone in any type of water. Children ages 1 to 4 have the highest drowning rates, mostly in swimming pools. 22 If you live in a house that has a pool, make sure that it has fencing on all sides and has "self-closing and self-latching gates that open outward, with latches that are out of the reach of children." 22 Keep a phone with you, and consider learning child cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Empty buckets [PDF, 56KB] and turn them upside down when done. Close the lids to washing machines. Use door knob covers on bathroom doors, locks on the toilets, or keep bathroom doors closed, and make it a family rule that children only go into the bathroom with an adult.
Why it works:
Drowning happens quickly and silently. A toddler or small child can drown within 30 seconds in as little as 2 inches of liquid, so be actively engaged whenever a child is in or near any water. Young children can be taught to swim, but even if you think your child is comfortable in the water, never leave a child unsupervised in or near any body of water. Curious toddlers can pull themselves up and lean inside a bucket or reach for a toy in the pool, but their heads are bigger than their bodies. If they fall in, they are unable to get out and can drown.
Safety Tip No. 9: Prepare for emergencies
What families can do:
Post important emergency phone numbers such as poison control, 911, and your child’s doctor in a central location and store them in your mobile phone. This is especially important if your child has a special health care need. Prepare for common weather-related emergencies. Keep basic first aid and disaster supplies on hand. You also can talk to your home visitor about opportunities to learn child CPR and first aid.
Why it works:
Families that prepare for emergencies have a better chance of getting help quickly when needed. Emergency responders and poison control professionals can provide instruction about first aid treatment for different types of injuries.
Safety Tip No. 10: Always use a car seat for your child
What families can do:
Select a car seat based on your child’s age and size, and that fits in your vehicle, and use it every time your child rides in your car or truck. Install the car seat according to the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure that it protects your child. When children outgrow their rear-facing seats, use a forward-facing car seat until they reach the upper weight or height limit of their particular seat. Find an inspector who can check your child’s car seat and make sure it is installed correctly.
Why it works:
Motor vehicles are the second leading cause of death among children ages birth to 4. 23 The best way to protect your child from injury in a crash is to make sure that they are always seated in the back seat in a car seat that is appropriate for their age and size. Using a car seat reduces the risk of death in passenger vehicles by 54% for toddlers ages 1–4. 24 Young children are more likely to be hurt in the front seat. Front air bags are designed to protect adults, not children, and can be dangerous to children seated in front of them.
19 See A Home Visitor’s Guide to Safety Conversations in Safety Practices for examples of other home safety checklists.
20 Safe Kids Worldwide (2014). Medicine Safety 2014 Infographic. Retrieved from http://www.safekids.org/infographic/medicine-safety-2014-infographic
21 Lowell, G., Quinlan, K., and Gottlieb L. J. (2008). Pediatrics 122:799-804.
22 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014). Unintentional Drowning: Get the Facts. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Water-Safety/waterinjuries-factsheet.html
23 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS). (2015). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/injury/images/lc-charts/leading_causes_of_injury_deaths_unintentional_injury_2015_1050w760h.gif
Safety Tip No. 1: Stay hands-on and engaged
What families can do:
For toddlers that are not yet toilet training, provide safe ways for them to climb onto or off of changing tables. Help toddlers that are toilet training to climb onto or off the toilet safely if they are no longer using a "potty chair." To prevent falls, keep a hand on toddlers at all times while changing diapers if you are using a changing table or other high surface rather than the floor. Engage active toddlers in reciprocal (back and forth) play such as singing and rhyming. In addition, toddlers can participate in diapering activities by handing you a diaper.
Why it works:
During diapering, toddlers may move around, so staying hands on prevents injuries. Teaching toddlers how to safely climb onto or off of a changing table or the toilet if they are not using a potty chair supports their independence. Encouraging your toddler’s active participation reinforces the importance of safe daily routines.
Safety Tip No. 2: Store diapering supplies safely
What families can do:
Keep diaper changing materials, including wipes and ointments, where you can reach them easily but are away from a toddler’s grasp. Wash the diaper changing area after each use, and store the supplies out of your child’s reach. Wait until your child has left the area to prevent exposing your toddler to the chemicals in these products.
Why it works:
Toddlers will want to touch any materials that are within their grasp. Diapering supplies, such as medications and ointments for skin conditions and disinfectant supplies, can be harmful to young children. Many of the items close to the diaper-changing area—spray bottles, disinfectant wipes, medications, ointments, or other materials containing toxic ingredients—can burn or poison a child who has contact with them.
Safety Tip No. 1: Choose age-appropriate foods
What families can do:
Choose age-appropriate foods that your family prefers and cut them into small pieces (cubes no larger than ½ inch in size) to prevent choking. Avoid all high-risk foods. These include small, slippery foods, dry foods that are hard to chew or sticky, and tough foods.
Why it works:
Toddlers are still learning how to coordinate their mouths to fully chew and swallow food. They also grow teeth at varying rates and may not be able to chew or break down certain foods. Therefore, it is safest to feed toddlers foods that they can easily break apart and swallow whole.
Safety Tip No. 2: Position children to eat safely
What families can do:
Toddlers can sit in chairs at tables that are appropriate for their age and size. Your child can sit in a booster chair or seat at the table for family style eating as long as you use the safety straps. Make a family rule that children and adults must be seated while eating. Teach toddlers how to feed themselves safely using a child-sized fork, spoon, and cup.
Why it works:
Toddlers may try to climb while eating. Safety straps secure a child in a booster seat or chair so your child doesn’t fall out. Sitting while eating and drinking minimizes the risk of children choking or of a dental injury from falling with a cup or utensil in their mouth. Toddlers are becoming more independent and can feed themselves using child-sized cups, spoons, and forks with blunt points. For more information regarding safe self-feeding, you may want to read Encouraging Self-Feeding by Older Infants and Toddlers.
Safety Tip No. 1: Use safe cribs (for younger toddlers)
What families can do:
Use a crib that was manufactured on or after June 28, 2011. Cribs made after this date must meet the current safety standard. Drop-side cribs do not meet current safety regulations.Your home visitor can help you find a safe crib. If young toddlers are trying to climb from the crib, consider using a bed that is low to the ground.
Why it works:
Toddlers may reach their arms through the slats in a crib or put their fingers into places that can pinch or cut them. Toddlers are more likely to try to climb from a crib, particularly as they get closer to age 2. Cribs are only safe to use if a toddler is not able to climb out.
Safety Tip No. 2: Offer child appropriate sleeping furniture (for older toddlers)
What families can do:
Select an age-appropriate toddler bed and side rail. Do not place the bed close to the window, and use window guards or locks to prevent falls. You may need to help your child learn how to stay in his bed to fall asleep.
Why it works:
When toddlers begin sleeping on a cot or bed, they may get up or fall out of their bed. They may need some time to develop a nightly routine and get used to the freedom of not being in a crib. Keeping the bed away from the window and installing window guards or locks prevents falls.
Safety Tip No. 1: Use toys, equipment, and materials that are safe for toddlers and have no small parts
What families can do:
Only provide toys that are safe for toddlers. Use materials that are sturdy and easy to clean because toddlers will put them in their mouths. Place heavier items on lower shelving in a play area. Place heavier items on lower shelving in a play area. Place any object that is small enough to fit into a toddler's mouth out of reach. Make sure that materials and equipment, including dolls and stuffed animals, do not have loose, small parts that could fall off and pose a choking hazard. This includes small toys such as marbles, balloons, small balls, and coins, as well as parts of toys that may break off, like buttons on a teddy bear. 12 Any object is dangerous if it can pass through the small-parts cylinder (2.25 inches long by 1.25 inches wide) used for screening choking hazards for children younger than 3 years. For more information, see Which Toy for Which Child: A Consumer's Guide for Selecting Suitable Toys [PDF, 1.1MB]. Make sure that there are no button batteries or magnets within reach that a toddler could swallow.
Select equipment that will not trap a toddler’s head or limbs. Ensure that equipment is appropriate for a toddler’s height and weight. Safety straps secure a child in a stroller, swing, or other equipment and reduce the risk of falls. To find out if safety concerns have been reported about the toys and equipment you are using, you can search for product safety complaints or report a concern at www.saferproducts.gov. Sign up for free recall notices from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Why it works:
Providing toys and materials that contain no small or loose parts eliminates choking hazards. Storing button batteries and magnets out of reach removes hazardous materials. Placing heavier items on lower shelving reduces the risk of injury from a dropped toy. Following the manufacturer’s instructions regarding height and weight restrictions on equipment protects toddlers from injury.
Safety Tip No. 2: Teach toddlers how to use materials and equipment safely
What families can do:
Teach toddlers how to use materials and equipment appropriately. Examples include, "crayons are for coloring" and "paint brushes are for painting." Creating routines helps maintain a safe environment. This includes teaching toddlers to clean up and put items away when they are finished using them. Teach toddlers how to use outdoor equipment like balls and scooters safely. This includes using helmets when riding tricycles, scooters, big wheels, and other riding toys.
Why it works:
Toddlers begin to use equipment and materials for projects while they play. They learn by watching and will copy the behavior of other children and family members. By demonstrating clear expectations and how to use materials and equipment properly, you can help your child learn basic safety rules and routines.
Safety Tip No. 3: Provide safe outdoor play environments
What families can do:
Learning about the natural world is fun for families and children of all ages, including toddlers. Supervise children carefully in any outdoor play area. In the warm months, be aware of temperature, humidity, and direct sun. Check play equipment and surfaces that may get hot in the sun. Consider your child’s age and where you live when choosing and using a sunscreen product. Follow the label instructions for proper application. A wide-brim hat and loose fitting clothing also provide some protection. Bring and encourage drinking water often. Keep toddlers away from poisonous plants [PDF, 197KB] and any insects that may sting or bite. During cold months, be aware of temperatures and wind chill. Dress children appropriately and ensure their heads, fingers, and feet are covered. Limit children’s outdoor play in extreme heat or cold.
Why it works:
Providing opportunities to explore the sights and sounds in nature supports children’s development when these experiences are safe and well supervised. Knowing how to recognize plants that are poisonous and making sure that there no insects that sting or bite protects children from injury. Surfaces such as pavement, sidewalks, slides, and swings absorb the heat of the sun and can burn a toddler’s sensitive skin. Sunburns are painful and can increase a child’s risk of skin cancer. Frostbite may require medical treatment. Toddlers do not regulate their body temperature well. Providing fluids frequently prevents dehydration. Keeping toddlers inside during extreme heat or cold protects them from overheating and frostbite.
Safety Tip No. 4: Teach toddlers about pedestrian safety
What families can do:
Toddlers need close supervision when they play outside. Teach your child to watch for cars and trucks, and never to run into the street to chase a ball. You also can begin to teach toddlers about traffic lights, holding hands with an adult, and following directions when crossing the street. Find additional tips, lessons, and teaching strategies at Safe Kids Worldwide.
Why it works:
Toddlers are beginning to explore the world outside their homes. They have opportunities to walk to the neighborhood park, school, or other community locations with a family member. It may be hard for drivers and cyclists to see them, so toddlers need to understand pedestrian safety and learn how to follow safety rules outside the home.
