This topic suggests ways to help
prevent illness and accidental injuries in young children. It does not cover
every risk that a child faces, but it does cover many of the most common
hazards and situations that can be dangerous to children ages 2 to 5
years.
Why should you be concerned about your child’s health and safety?
Children in this age range are gaining many new skills and feel
more and more independent. They may be curious, want to explore the world
around them, and act without thinking. This can lead to dangerous
situations.
What can you do to help keep your child safe?
Your
child is gaining in confidence and probably wants to explore. But your child
still needs your close supervision and guidance. You can:
Set up and consistently enforce rules and limits to help your child learn about dangers.
Supervise your child and teach your child some basic safety rules and precautions for inside and outside the home. For
example, teach your child to always use the car seat and that ovens and
toasters can cause burns.
Practice healthy habits to protect your child against illness and infection. For example, wash
your hands often and keep toys clean, make sure your child is
immunized, and go to all well-child visits.
Take safety measures around the home.
For example, store poisonous products out of your child’s reach, and use safety
covers on all electrical outlets.
Understand that your child will go through active and
curious phases. Recognize these periods, and think about what you can do to
avoid safety hazards. If your child is discovering the joys of riding a
tricycle, for example, be sure to make riding in the street off limits.
No one can watch a child’s every move or make a
home 100% safe all the time. Try to find a balance among supervising your
child, taking safety precautions, and allowing your child to explore.
How can your stress level affect your child's safety?
Taking care of yourself is a vital part of keeping your child safe. Most
injuries to children happen when parents or caregivers are tired, hungry, or
emotionally drained or are having relationship problems. Other common causes of
family stress include changes in daily routines, moving to a new house, or
expecting another child.
Learn all you can about child growth and
development. Doing so can help you learn what to expect and how to handle
certain situations.
If you feel stressed, get help. Talk to your
doctor or your child’s doctor, or see a counselor. Get together regularly with
family and friends, or join a parenting group.
Call 911 right away if you feel you are about to hurt yourself or your child.
Handling food safely, practicing basic
hygiene to prevent communicable diseases, and getting
regular physical exams and
immunizations are all healthy habits that help protect
your child against illness and infection.
Safe food preparation and precautions
Thorough
cleaning and food preparation helps keep you and your child from getting
food-borne illnesses. Do your best to ensure that the
restaurants where you eat also handle food
safely.
The U.S. Department
of Agriculture recommends the following steps to prevent food poisoning:
Prepare foods safely. Because germs
spread easily on surfaces that many people use or touch, it is important to
wash your hands often and keep surfaces clean.
Shop safely. Raw meats, seafood, and eggs can contaminate other foods they
touch. Keep these items wrapped in plastic and away from fresh foods in your
shopping cart.
Cook foods safely. Meats and foods that
have been in contact with raw meat need to be cooked thoroughly to prevent the
growth of bacteria. The specific temperature varies by type of food.
Store foods safely. Keep food temperatures at safe
levels to prevent bacterial growth that can cause illness. For example,
perishable foods should be refrigerated promptly, not left out on the
counter.
Follow labels on food packaging. Look for expiration
dates on perishable foods before you buy or eat them. Also, follow cooking
guidelines that are provided, such as temperature and cooking
time.
Serve foods safely. Keep hot foods hot—140°F (60°C) or above—and cold foods
cold—40°F (4.44°C) or below. If
you are not sure if a food is safe to eat, throw it out.
Although
colds and
flu are more common in the colder months, they can
occur any time of year. Take extra precautions to help protect your child
against these and other viral and bacterial infections.
Be aware of higher risk of germs in public areas. Avoid exposing your child to a large crowd if he or she has been
ill recently or has an otherwise
weakened immune system, especially when a contagious
illness is going around. Also, it may be helpful to have a
hand sanitizer and disposable wipes on hand to clean
hands and to wipe off shopping carts or other shared items in public places.
Avoid close contact with others who are sick. Keep
your child away from others who are obviously ill. Also, if your child is ill,
avoid contact with other children until the contagious period is over. Talk to
your doctor if you are unsure about how long your child is likely to be
contagious.
Wash your hands often. Keeping your hands clean is an
obvious but often overlooked means of preventing the spread of germs.
Wash and disinfect surfaces and toys. Areas where
germs collect, such as the kitchen and bathroom, should be kept clean and
frequently disinfected.
Teach children to cover their mouths when
they cough or sneeze, preferably using a tissue so that germs do not get on
their hands. Also show them how to use tissues to wipe their
noses.
Have your child immunized.
Immunizations provide important protection for your
child against harmful disease. See the
immunization schedule for the recommended
immunizations and the ages at which they should be given. For more information,
see the topic
Immunizations.
Preventing your
child from having accidents and injuries is a huge task. Children between the
ages of 2 and 5 reason with
self-centered (egocentric) perceptions and magical thinking. These thought patterns lead children to overestimate what is
in their control, which contributes to their vulnerability. They are often
unaware of the consequences of their actions.
You can help
protect your child from accidents and injuries by taking general safety
measures around your home. Also,
think ahead about what potentially dangerous
situations will attract your child.
Some parents think that strict
safety measures are not needed because their child is closely supervised or has
not yet shown an interest in dangerous areas or items. Although responsible
supervision is important, it is not realistic to think that you can watch your
child's every move or that he or she will never become curious about something
off-limits. Also, constant hovering over children can limit their experiences
and confidence. Balancing supervision with safety precautions will help prevent
accidents and injuries, as well as allow children to explore.
The
following are common accidents and injuries that can occur around the house,
and some suggestions on how to prevent them.
Falls
Preventing falls is not always easy.
Toddlers and young children often move quickly. Their excitement about their
mobility and their lack of experience can make them unaware of dangers, such as
stairs or hills. Children between 4 and 5 years of age anticipate many dangers
but may not have the physical skills to successfully avoid accidents. You can
help prevent young children from falling by putting up stairway barriers,
monitoring their play area, and providing stable play equipment. Also, keep
walkways, decks, porches, and stairways free of objects.
Choking
Children between the ages of 2 and 5
years can easily choke on everyday objects and food. Your child needs your
supervision even though he or she may be able to eat independently.
You can help prevent choking by taking basic precautions in how you
prepare foods and by teaching your child safe eating habits.
Establish certain areas for eating, such as
the kitchen table or dining room. Help your child learn to sit down while
eating and to chew carefully.
Don't force your child to eat when he or she is not hungry. These practices
also help your child to develop
healthy eating habits.
Learn to recognize
signs of choking so you can react quickly. For
example, a child who is choking can't talk, cry, breathe, or cough.
Know
how to select and prepare foods. For example, choose soft foods that can be
cut up into small pieces, such as cooked carrots. Avoid round, firm foods such
as hot dogs, grapes, nuts, and raisins.
Be aware that young
children may
choke on small objects. Generally, objects smaller
than 1.3 in (3.3 cm) in
diameter and 2.3 in (5.8 cm)
long are choking hazards. Examples include coins, buttons, and bottle caps.
Keep these items out of reach.
Do not allow your child to eat while
he or she is walking, running, playing, or riding in a car. And do not allow
your child to chew gum or eat hard candy.
Do not leave rubber bands
or deflated balloons around the house where children can reach them.
Strangulation and suffocation
A variety of
household items can strangle a young child. Make sure loose cords, objects, and
furniture do not pose strangling risks. The following suggestions can help you
reduce potential hazards.1, 2
Keep cords for blinds and drapes out of
reach. Attach cords to mounts that hold them taut, and wrap them around wall
brackets.
Cords with loops should be cut and equipped with safety
tassels.
Do not use accordion-style gates. Babies or young
children can get their heads trapped in the gate and may
strangle.
Make sure furniture does not have cutout portions or
other areas that can trap your child's head.
Suffocation is another danger for young children. Teach
your child about suffocation and the importance of a safe play area. Pay
attention to possible suffocation dangers, such as:
Trunks of cars. Keep rear fold-down seats
closed so children are not able to climb into the trunk from inside the car.
Also, always lock car doors and keep the keys out of sight and out of reach of
your child.
Refrigerators and freezers, even those that are not in
use. If you are storing an old refrigerator or freezer, be sure to take the
door off.
Plastic sacks. Do not let your child play with plastic
sacks, and keep them out of reach. Many children like to put sacks over their
head during play, which can lead to suffocation.
Poisoning
To
prevent poisoning, identify household cleaners and
other chemicals, plants, medicines, makeup, perfumes, and any other products
that, when eaten or inhaled, can harm a child. It is critical to properly store
these items out of reach of young children. If you have a possible
poisoning emergency, call 1-800-222-1222 and you will be
automatically transferred to the closest poison control center. For more
information, see the topic
Poisoning.
Lead poisoning
is another cause for concern in young children who may chew on contaminated
lead paint flakes, painted objects, or toys. House
paint is no longer made with lead, but older homes (those built before 1978)
may still have lead paint on walls and other surfaces. Have your home tested if
you are unsure whether it contains any lead-based paint. In 2007, the U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found high lead content in many
children’s toys and jewelry made in other countries. For a complete list of
recalled products, see the CPSC Web site at www.cpsc.gov. Also see the topic
Lead Poisoning for more information.
Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning by frequently monitoring levels and taking
precautionary measures, such as having your furnace checked each year. Carbon
monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. It is produced from
burning fuels such as natural gas, gasoline, fuel oil, or wood (for example, in
indoor heating systems, car engines, cooking appliances, or fires). High carbon
monoxide levels quickly affect young children because of their small size. For
more information, see the topic
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.
Fire hazards
Prevent household fires by having and maintaining smoke detectors, planning and practicing
escape routes, and teaching your child basic fire safety skills. Children
between the ages of 2 and 5 are often curious about fire. Warn your child about
the dangers of fire, and explain why only grown-ups are allowed to use
it.
Burns
Serious burns are most often caused by heat,
electricity, or chemicals. Other types of burns include radiation burns
(usually from sun exposure) and friction burns. Prevent burn injuries to your
child by identifying dangers in your home and removing them or blocking your
child's access to them. For more information, see the topic
Burns.
Most
heat burns can be prevented by keeping your child away from fire, steam, hot
water and other hot liquids, and hot objects. Consider buying pajamas made of
flame-resistant fabric for your child.
To prevent
electrical burns, keep electrical cords out of reach
of your child and use safety covers on all outlets. Keep your child indoors and
away from windows during electrical storms.
Prevent chemical burns by keeping all caustic or corrosive products out of reach of
children. Acid, such as from batteries, and alkaline products, such as drain
cleaners, are especially dangerous.
Sunburns (radiation burns) can permanently damage a child's skin. Radiation burns are caused
by the sun, tanning booths, sunlamps, X-rays, or radiation therapy for cancer
treatment. Radiation burns in children usually are caused by sun exposure. Keep
children out of the sun or use sun-protection measures when your child is
outdoors. For more information, see the topic
Sunburn.
Friction burns are
usually minor injuries, many of which can be prevented by providing proper play
equipment and helping children to avoid scrapes. For more information, see the
topic
Scrapes.
Enjoy fireworks from a distance.
About 1 out of 3 people injured by summer fireworks is a child younger than age
15.3 Children can also get burns from using and being
around firecrackers and sparklers. Sparklers are the cause of injury in about 1
out of 3 children under 5 years of age who are injured by fireworks.3
Guns and other weapons
Gun and firearm safety measures should be established for all households and especially those
where children live or visit. All guns and firearms should be kept in a locked
area, unloaded, and out of reach of children. Also, store knives (even kitchen
knives), swords, and other weapons safely out of reach.
Pets
Pets are in many households. Children who
live in homes without pets likely will encounter animals in other environments.
Many injuries can be avoided by teaching children how to properly interact with
pets. Also, pet owners who train and keep their animals healthy are less likely
to have problems when children are around.
Teach your child how to interact with pets. Explain that animals can hurt you when they are scared, hurt,
eating, or protecting their babies. Teach your child to speak quietly and move
slowly around animals and to watch for body language that can alert your child
to stay away.
Children younger than 5 years of age die
from drowning more than any other age group.4 Help
prevent a drowning tragedy by following the recommendations from the U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission, the National Safety Council, and the
American Academy of Pediatrics.
Supervise all baths at all times.
Always stay within arm's reach of your child. Never leave your child alone in
the tub—even with an older sibling.
Control access to water in your home. Empty all buckets and coolers when not in use. Keep toilet
lids down and consider securing them with safety latches.
Keep pool areas safe. If you have your own pool or pond, keep it fenced. And
follow all your local regulatory safety codes. These usually are available
through your city planning department. When visiting public or private pools,
make sure your children are supervised closely and that they are familiar with
pool safety rules.
Teach swimming safety. Make sure your
child knows basic rules, such as to always swim with a buddy and to never push
another child into the water. Always have your child wear a life jacket when
swimming or boating.
In addition to these precautions, learn first aid and
CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Knowing these
skills can make the difference between life and death in an emergency
situation. For more information, see the topic
Dealing With Emergencies.
It is a constant
challenge to keep your child safe. Children between the ages of 2 and 5 years
often do not recognize dangers without constant reminders because they reason
with self-centered (egocentric) perceptions and magical thinking. These thought patterns lead children to overestimate what is
in their control, which contributes to their vulnerability. They are often
unaware of the consequences of their actions.
You cannot protect
your child from every danger he or she can possibly encounter outside the home.
But you can equip your child with some basic safety rules and precautions. Let
your child's natural surroundings
give you ideas for general training to help prepare
your child for a variety of situations he or she may face.
To help
avoid accidents, injuries, and unsafe situations outside the home, establish
and review basic rules before outings and frequently reinforce them.
Basic safety precautions
Always use a car seat. Car accidents are the leading cause of death and injury
in young children.5 Many injuries and deaths can be
avoided by using proper child restraints. Because state regulations vary and
may not include important points to keep your child as safe as possible, follow
basic guidelines established by the American Academy of Pediatrics:
When your child is at least 1 year of age
and weighs at least
20 lb (9.1 kg), use a
forward-facing, safety-approved, and properly installed seat. Stay with this
type of seat until your child is about 4 years old and weighs about
40 lb (18.1 kg).
After that, use a booster seat. Stay with this type
of seat until at least age 8 or when your child is
4 ft (1.2 m),
9 in (22.9 cm)
tall.
The back seat is the safest place for a child to ride. Never
allow a child younger than age 13 to sit in the front seat of any vehicle with
a passenger side air bag that cannot be turned off.
Your child
should be in a car seat every time he or she rides in a vehicle, without
exception. Do not make it negotiable—rather, be firm that riding in a car seat
is required for every car trip.
Never leave your child alone in a car. Heat
inside the car and other factors could cause long-lasting injury—or death—in a
matter of minutes. A young child's body temperature can raise 3 to 5 times
faster than that of an adult. Keeping the car windows down will not protect
your child in hot or warm weather. Other injuries could also occur from a child
getting stuck in the trunk or setting the car in motion.
Help your child understand "stranger danger." Many parents fear child abduction. Most children who
are abducted are not taken by strangers, but rather by a parent, relative,
family friend, or acquaintance. But it is still important to teach your child
to be cautious of strangers and how to react when they feel they are
threatened.
Teach proper behavior around animals. Your child
should learn how to respond to unfamiliar animals. Teach your child how to
interact with family pets and other animals that he or she is likely to come
across.
Wear sunscreen to prevent sunburns (radiation burns).
Radiation burns are caused by the sun, tanning booths, sunlamps,
X-rays, or
radiation therapy for cancer treatment. Radiation
burns in children usually are caused by sun exposure and can cause permanent
skin damage. Keep children out of the sun or use sun-protection measures when
your child is outdoors.
Use
insect repellents to prevent bites and stings. Also,
take action to
prevent exposure to stinging insects, such as having
your child wear closed shoes, socks, and clothes that fully cover his or her
body when outdoors.
Teach your child swimming safety. You
can help prevent a drowning accident by making sure your child knows how to
behave while in and around water. If you have a swimming pool at home, make
sure to
take safety measures. If you live near
irrigation canals, teach your child not to play in or
near them.
Keep your child safe on the playground. Make sure all
play equipment is safe, in good repair, and appropriate for your child's age.
Closely supervise all young children while they are playing on any
equipment.
Before your child visits an unfamiliar home, ask whether
you need to be aware of any dangerous areas, weapons in the home, pets, or
other safety issues. In addition, it is always a good idea to see the household
for yourself. Don't be afraid to voice any concerns you have about safety. You
are ultimately responsible for protecting your child.
Choosing child care
Before enrolling your child in
day care, evaluate the environment and talk with the care providers.
Ask questions about their safety guidelines. Identify any hazards and ask
how they are handled. Inspect the food preparation area and ask how often it is
cleaned and with what kinds of products. For more information, see the topic
Choosing Child Care.
Going along for the ride: Exercising caution
Many
parents and caregivers want to share their favorite activities with their young
children. This can help build common interests and appreciation for exercise
and other pursuits. Be sure, however, to recognize the safety issues related to
these activities. Remember that your child's comfort and safety are most
important.
Keep your child safe in strollers and carts. Use the safety straps and follow the printed instructions. For
example, signs on shopping carts usually advise against putting a child in the
area reserved for shopping items.
Use extra caution when riding bikes and tricycles. Make sure you and your child always wear
helmets and practice safe riding habits, such as avoiding busy streets. Bike
ride only during daylight hours.
Prevent sunburns by
taking extra precautions, such as applying sunscreen and putting on a hat
before going outdoors. In addition, be careful your child does not develop
heat exhaustion from being out in warm temperatures.
Small bodies can develop these problems much more quickly than adults. Do not
keep your child out in warm weather for long periods. Keep water or other
drinks on hand, and never leave your child alone in a car, even with the
windows down. For more information, see the topics
Sunburn and
Heat-Related Illnesses.
Monitor air pollution when planning to take your child with you for outdoor
activities. Children's lungs are especially sensitive to pollution. You can
check your newspaper or local weather station for details about air pollution
levels.
Connection between parental well-being and child safety
Taking care of yourself is a vital part of keeping your child safe.
Although accidents can occur at any time, most happen during times of excess
stress, such as when:1
Parents and children are hungry and tired,
especially right after work and before dinner.
Another baby is
expected.
There is an illness or death in the
family.
Marital problems develop.
Major changes in the
routine or environment occur, such as when a child's caregiver changes, or when
moving to a new house, or even going on vacation.
Recognize the
signs of stress and what situations cause it. Be extra vigilant during these
times and take care of yourself and your
personal relationships.
All parents have times when they feel
exhausted, frustrated, angry, sad, or overwhelmed. Recognize that this is a
normal part of being human and a parent. But if these feelings become too much
for you to handle alone, keep your child safe by
getting help. For example, when your emotions are too
much for you to handle alone, you may not have the energy or desire to watch
your child as closely as you should. Some parents injure their children when
their emotions cause them to shake, hit, or push them. This can result in such
problems as
shaken baby syndrome, which can cause permanent brain
damage or even death.
Call 911 immediately if you feel you are about to injure yourself or
your child.
American Academy of Pediatrics (2004). Keeping your
child safe. In SP Shevlov, RE Hannemann, eds., Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5, 4th ed., pp. 423–470. New York:
Bantam.
Window Covering Safety Council (2003).
Kids...cords...caution: Learn how to keep your children safe. Basic Cord Safety. Available online:
http://www.windowcoverings.org/basiccordsafety.html.
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
(2008). Fireworks-Related Injuries. Available online:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/fworks.htm.
National Safety Council (accessed November 2008).
Water safety. National Safety Council Fact Sheet.
Available online:
http://www.nsc.org/resources/factsheets/hl/water_safety.aspx.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2005).
CDC's Unintentional Injury Activities—2004. Available
online:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/pub-res/unintentional_activity/2004/DUIP_Activity_Rpt2004.pdf.
Other Works Consulted
American Academy of Pediatrics (2002). Water safety
for your school-age child. The Injury Prevention Program (TIPP). Available online:
http://www.aap.org/family/tipwater.htm.
American Academy of Pediatrics (accessed November
2008). Pool safety for children. The Injury Prevention Program (TIPP). Available online:
http://www.aap.org/family/tipppool.htm.
Brayden RM, et al. (2007). Anticipatory guidance
section of Ambulatory and community pediatrics. In WW Hay et al., eds.,
Current Pediatric Diagnosis and Treatment, 18th ed., pp.
234–237. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Humane Society of the United States (2006). Teaching your child to avoid dog bites. Available online: http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/dog_care/stay_dog_bite_free/teaching_your_child_to_avoid_dog_bites.html.
Kendrick D, et al. (2007). Home safety education and
provision of safety equipment for injury prevention. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (1).
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
