Preventing Childhood Accidents
Between the ages of 1 and 5 years, children learn to walk, run, and climb. They become more active and love to play and explore. Still, young children do not always know the possible dangers of their actions. This can often lead to accidents.
As a parent, it’s important to protect your child. You can help prevent many accidents if you take the proper safety measures and keep a watchful eye. Learn how to keep your child safe from accidents like:
 Falls
 Burns
 Poisoning
 Choking and suffocation
 Drowning
 Playground-related injuries
Keep Your Child Safe From Accidents Like...
Car-related
Injuries
Make sure your child is safe when riding in a car and when walking or playing near cars.
 Always strap young children into a car seat that is suitable for their height and weight. Only children who are at least one year old and at least 20 pounds should ride facing forward.
 Never hold your child in the car, even for a quick ride.
 Never leave your child alone in the car.
 Always supervise children when they play in the driveway or near the garage.
 Hold children by the hand when crossing streets, parkng lots, and driveways

falls
When children fall, they can become seriously injured. You can prevent falls if you childproof your home and supervise your child.
 Install guards for windows and balconies to prevent children from falling. Use gates for stairways and doorways to keep your child away from areas that are not child-proof.
 Do not use foldable chairs and tables since they are not stable. They can collapse and injure your child.
 Add safety rails to beds or have your child sleep in a low bed.  Make sure your child is properly strapped into highchairs, shopping carts, and carseats
Burns
Young children are curious and move very quickly.They are not always aware of the dangers of fires and other sources of heat. Keep your child away from fires, hot objects, and hot liquids around the house to prevent burns.
 Do not handle hot liquids while holding your child.
 Do not leave hot food, hot drinks, or any other hot objects near the edge of a table or within your child’s reach.
 Do not let your child play near the kitchen, heaters, or other hot appliances.
 Check the water temperature before children wash their hands or take a bath.
 Keep matches and lighted candles away from children.
 Install a smoke detector in your house

Also, keep a list of emergency numbers. These numbers include your child’s doctor, the hospital emergency room, poison control center, and fire department..
 Do not give your child nuts, popcorn, hotdogs, hard candy, and chewing gum. Your child can choke on these foods.
 Do not allow your child to eat while running or playing.

Drowning
Children like to play in the water, but they do not know the potential dangers.
It is important for parents to make playtime in the water fun and safe.
 Make sure there is a lifeguard present.
 Stay within an arm’s length of your child when you are around water. Even children who can swim need to be watched closely.
 Empty all water from the bathtub or any other container after use. A child can drown in less then 2 inches of water.
 If you have a pool at home, make sure it is surrounded by a fence that is at least five feet tall.
Playground-
Related Injuries
Playgrounds are a lot of fun, but they can also pose many hazards. Check the equipment and keep a close eye on your child to make sure he or she stays safe.
 Always supervise your child in the playground.
 Check the equipment to be sure it is sturdy. Also be sure that there are no splinters or exposed nails and that there is no rusted metal.
 Dress your child in clothing without loose

 Dress your child in clothing without loose strings or straps. They may get caught and cause strangling.
 Do not let your child stand or kneel on the swings or slide.
 Make sure the equipment is not too high for your child. The higher the equipment is, the harder the impact is when a child falls
In Case Accidents
Do Happen, Be Prepared
No matter how cautious you are, you cannot prevent all accidents. Still, you can be prepared. Learn how to perform CPR at a nearby hospital or the American Red Cross. You can also ask your child’s pediatrician about where to take CPR classes. CPR can save your child’s life if he or she stops breathing. Also, buy a first aid kit, so you can act quickly if your child gets hurt. Most first aid kits include items such as:
Bandadges
Gauze pads
Adhesive tape
Antiseptic wipes
Antibiotic cream Cold packs
Tweezers
Plastic gloves

Poisoning
Small amounts of poison can harm your child. Even common household products or medicines can be harmful.
Keep poisons, household products, and medicine away from children.
 Use products that have child-resistant caps, so your child cannot open them.
 Always keep harmful materials in their original containers and locked up. Store them away from any foods. This prevents them from mixing with your child’s food.
 Do not give your child medication or herbs prescribed for another person.
 Use paint that is safe for your child’s room and does not contain lead or other harmful materials. Look for non-toxic or low-toxic paints that are labeled Natural Paint, Zero
VOC (volatile organic compounds), Low VOC, or ethylene glycol-free.

Choking &
Suffocation
It is important for parents to childproof their child’s surroundings to prevent choking and suffocation.
 Keep small objects such as pins, coins, bottle caps, and marbles away from children. Young children may swallow them and choke.
 Do not buy toys with small parts. Read age guidelines on toy packaging.
 Do not let your child play with plastic bags.
 Cut food into small pieces to prevent choking.