Toddler Danger Zones

Once your baby starts walking, he's got the world -- and all its potential hazards -- at his fingertips. But while her new motor skills allow her to maneuver about the house, your toddler still lacks the common sense to know what's harmful and dangerous. Follow our room-by-room checklist to reduce your child's risk of injury.
Bathroom

Your child's early attempts at walking and climbing are inherently dangerous. But factor in your home's sharp table corners, electrical cords, and toxic cleaners, and the potential for disaster is everywhere. In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 2.5 million kids are injured or killed in their homes each year. "One-year olds are naturally curious and explore by mouthing, touching, looking, hearing, and smelling," says Michal S. Nissenbaum, Ph.D., a postdoctoral psychology fellow at the University of Kansas Medical Center, in Kansas City. "Though their new motor skills allow them to maneuver about the house, toddlers still lack the common sense to know what's harmful and dangerous." Follow our room-by-room checklist to reduce your child's risk of injury.

  • Keep cosmetics, razors, grooming scissors, and medicines (even vitamins) in a locked cabinet or drawer.
  • Put a latch on the toilet seat and keep it closed. Small children can drown in just a few inches of water.
  • Make sure the floors and lower shelves of your linen closet are free of small items that your toddler might choke on, such as cotton balls or swabs, suggests Kate Kelly, author of Living Safe in an Unsafe World (New American Library, 2000).

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Comments Comments ( 5 )
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sb1989_cutie wrote:

Quit taking your kids trick or treating around town. They've had reports of needles in candied apples, and glass in candy. Be Smart, and know your surroundings!. I just bought some candy, and made cookies at home, and watched scary movies :). It's great family time!

11/5/2009 11:33:24 AM Report Abuse
greekgirl121 wrote:

Make sure if your windows are open that the screen is locked. My 3yr old watched me lock the screens one day, and a week later he unlocked it and fell 2 stories onto concrete and had a fractured skull. He survived with tramatic brain injury.

10/12/2009 09:19:35 AM Report Abuse
POOHJASONJR wrote:

keep your kids safe don't leave your child in a car or at home byself that danger

10/7/2009 07:12:19 PM Report Abuse
POOHJASONJR wrote:

well i don't have that promblem here my son sit and watch t.v i alway keep a safe house

10/7/2009 07:09:31 PM Report Abuse
franklintodd22 wrote:

Good tip

9/30/2009 02:01:05 AM Report Abuse
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