In the United States, injuries are the leading cause of death of children younger than 4 years old. Most of these injuries can be prevented through education and awareness.
At age 1 to 2 years, your child is learning many new skills and can do more things independently. Your child is able to walk, run, jump, climb and explore everything in their environment. Because your child can do all these things, this stage can be an exciting but dangerous time in your child’s life.
Your child doesn’t understand what is safe or not safe. It is your responsibility to protect them from injuries. Safety issues to be aware of:
Burns
Your child loves to do what you do, including helping in the kitchen. To keep your child safe in the kitchen and let them be close to you, bring a highchair or playpen near where you are. They can still see you and be part of the action, but they are safe from hot liquids or foods spilling on them.
In the rest of your home, children who are still learning to walk will grab anything they can to steady themselves. This includes hot oven doors and wall heaters. Close doors to rooms where there are hot objects, or put a barrier around them. Be aware that if you are carrying a hot liquid your child may grab for it. Never carry both at the same time.
Another place that you can prevent burns is in the bathroom. Test the bath water temperature before putting your child in the water. If possible, adjust your hot water heater temperature to no more than 120 degrees F.
If your child gets burned, immediately put cold water on the burned area and call your doctor for more instructions.
Cars
Your child needs to ride in a car safety seat every time you travel in the car. All infants and toddlers should ride rear-facing until they reach the height or weight limits on their car seat.
Be sure the car safety seat is installed and used correctly each time. Always check the back seat when you get to your destination to be sure you never leave your child in the car. Children can die of heat stroke if left in a hot car.
Your child finds the car fascinating and may want to explore it without you. Teach your child not to play in or around the car. Do not leave the keys where your child can see them or reach them.
Drowning
Your child loves to play with water at this age. They love to splash, make bubbles, drink, pour and dump water whenever they can.
Never leave your child alone around water. This includes the bathtub, a pail of water, a swimming pool or any other water. A child can drown in less than two inches of water. Even if your child is beginning to learn how to swim, that does not mean they are safe in or near water at this age.
Close the bathroom door when you are not in it. Empty all buckets of water after use. Fence in your swimming pool and be sure the gate is self-latching. It only takes a minute for your quick little toddler to get into a dangerous situation around water.
Falls
Your child will reach for and climb to get the things they see. They don’t understand the danger in these situations.
To prevent serious falls, close doors to dangerous areas. Use gates at stairways and install window guards to prevent windows from opening wide. A screen in the window will not prevent a fall.
Remove sharp-edged furniture from rooms where your child plays or sleeps. If your child has a fall and does not act normally afterwards, call your doctor.
Poisoning
Children put everything in their mouths, even at this age. Your child is curious and will open doors and drawers, take things apart and can open some bottles. Keep all household products and medicines out of sight and reach. Keep safety caps on all toxic products. Keep the Poison Help phone number handy to get help if needed: (800) 222-1222.
Remember the biggest threat to your child’s life is injury. Stay aware to prevent a tragedy from happening in your home.
Register for the parenting class “Keep Me Safe” for more information on keeping your child safe and healthy.
Learn more
- From infant to teen: Proper car seat for each age
- Toddler’s throat healing after swallowing button batteries
- Look in back before you lock your car — every time
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Posted In Children's, Community Impact, Family Medicine, Parenting, Thought Leadership
