There are over three million births in the U.S each year which means many new mothers must adjust to caring for a baby.
Many women find great joy in raising little ones but once they become toddlers it becomes trickier. Perhaps you’re not sure how to keep your toddler safe at home and you’re looking for advice.
Sound about right? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Here are many ways to prioritize safety for toddlers in your home.
Child Safety in the Kitchen
One of the best safety measures for toddlers is to make sure the kitchen is a safe environment. You should remove stove knobs or conceal them with a child-proof cover so they can’t turn on the burners. You must also keep pot handles turned away so your child can’t reach for them and keep all cutlery, or anything else sharp, in a latched drawer.
It’s also important that there are no dangling cords around appliances and keep them out of your child’s reach when they’re not in use. Further, avoid displaying tiny refrigerator magnets because they may fall and your child may choke on them.
And safety measures for toddlers doesn’t stop there, you must also consider the kitchen’s cleanliness. Little ones have an immature immune system which makes them susceptible to bacteria or foodborne illnesses. Because of this, you should wash your hands before preparing meals and thoroughly clean the child’s utensils.
You should also heat bottles in a bowl of hot water instead of the microwave as it can scald your toddler’s mouth. Plus, look out for choking-risk foods like round food (e.g. grapes) or those with a texture that sticks to the airway like peanut butter.
Toddler Safety in the Bathroom
Following proper bathtub safety for toddlers makes bathtime fun for both of you. Make sure you never leave your little one unattended and always drain the tub once you’re finished. You should also keep the toilet lid down because if your child throws their toy into it, they may try and fish it out or it’ll clog the toilet.
Aside from knowing water safety for toddlers, hide electrical appliances like hair dryers so they don’t burn or give your child an electric shock.
Child Safety in the Bedroom
When regarding safety for toddlers at home, we must also consider the bedroom. There are many hazards such as lamps, curtains, and even rugs. Little ones are prone to toppling, yanking, or even slipping on these so keep the room basic to avoid accidents. If you do have furniture with drawers or shelves, nail them to the wall so your toddler can’t climb them.
Toddlers are between one to three years old so once they’re 35 inches tall, move your little one to a toddler bed or a twin bed with a side rail. Make sure the bed is far from objects with strings (e.g. blinds) and items they could tug at like picture frames.
Let them stay warm with a thin blanket and a small pillow but make sure it’s not big enough to become a makeshift stool otherwise they may escape. Luckily, after the first year, you don’t have to worry about SID so let your toddler sleep in whichever position is the most comfortable.
If you want to keep an eye on your toddler, get a video baby monitor so you know they’re safe during their naptime.
Toddler Safety in the Living Room
Every parent is used to toys strewn across the living room but aside from a mess, these are hazards. Remove all items that toddlers could choke on like coins, marbles, and small cars. You should also secure all furniture and electrical items so they don’t tip over onto your toddler and child-proof window cords so your little one can’t grab them. Further, place bumper guards on sharp edges to reduce the risk of a head injury.
Not sure about stair safety for toddlers? Simply install safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs to avoid accidents.
Child Safety in the Backyard
Adult supervision is crucial when your little one is playing in the yard otherwise limit access by keeping the lock out of reach. If you’ve set up a jungle gym or a swing set, set down a soft surface underneath to prevent injury.
You should also enclose swimming pools or ponds with a safety fence and drain kiddie pools when they’re not in use. Further, keep all garden equipment in storage alongside chemicals like pesticides.
Toddler Safety in the Car
Getting the right car safety seat is crucial because they reduce fatal injury by 54% for toddlers.
Most toddlers can graduate from a rear-facing car seat to a forward-facing model. But make sure your little one is properly buckled in, the seat belt should lie across the upper thighs and be higher across the shoulder and chest.
Be wary about buying a secondhand car seat because even if it looks like it’s in a good condition, it may be damaged.
That’s Everything About Safety for Toddlers
Now you know everything about prioritizing safety for toddlers.
Store away unneeded items and child-proof anything that could be grabbed or moved to prevent any accidents. It’s important to constantly supervise your little one especially when they’re in the bathroom or kitchen and remove items they could choke on. Good luck!
Hopefully, you found this article helpful. If you’re interested in similar content then check out our posts on everything from Sports to Family.
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