Toddlers are naturally curious and love to explore, which is a wonderful part of their development. However, this curiosity can sometimes lead them into potentially dangerous situations, especially within the home.

Here are the top five safety tips to help you toddler-proof your home and keep your child safe.

1. Secure Furniture and Appliances

One of the most important steps in toddler-proofing your home is securing heavy furniture and appliances:

• Anchor Furniture: Toddlers love to climb, which can make items like bookshelves, dressers, and TVs particularly hazardous. Use wall anchors or brackets to secure these items and prevent tip-overs.

• Avoid Tempting Climbs: Keep tempting items, such as toys or remotes, off high surfaces that might encourage your toddler to climb.

• Stabilise Appliances: Ensure large appliances like stoves, refrigerators, and washers are stable and secure to prevent them from tipping over.

2. Install Safety Gates and Locks

Safety gates and locks can be lifesavers, literally, by preventing access to dangerous areas:

• Block Off Dangerous Areas: Install safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs, as well as in doorways to rooms that might contain hazards, such as the kitchen or bathroom.

• Cabinet Locks: Use childproof locks on cabinets and drawers that contain sharp objects, cleaning supplies, or medications. Make sure these items are stored out of reach whenever possible.

• Door Knob Covers: Place covers on doors leading to potentially unsafe areas, such as bathrooms, basements, or exits to the outdoors.

3. Beware of Choking Hazards

Toddlers explore the world with their mouths, so small objects can pose a significant choking risk:

• Toy Safety: Choose age-appropriate toys without small parts. Regularly check for broken pieces that could become choking hazards.

• Keep Small Items Out of Reach: Be mindful of coins, batteries, buttons, and other small objects that could be within your toddler's reach.

• Food Precautions: Cut food into small, manageable pieces, and avoid giving your toddler hard foods like whole grapes, nuts, or hard boiled sweets.

4. Create a Safe Sleeping Environment

Your toddler’s sleep environment should be as safe as possible to prevent accidents during naps and nighttime:

• Transitioning to a Bed: If your toddler is moving from a cot to a bed, use bed rails to prevent falls. Choose a bed that is low to the ground to minimize the risk of injury if they do roll out.

• Keep the Bed Area Clear: Ensure there are no toys, pillows, or blankets that could pose a suffocation risk. Keep cords, like those from blinds, far from the bed to avoid strangulation hazards.

• Monitor for Hazards: Regularly check the sleep area for any new risks, such as loose screws in the bed frame or gaps between the bed and the wall.

5. Be Mindful of Electrical Safety

Electrical outlets and cords are fascinating to toddlers but can be very dangerous:

• Outlet Covers: Use outlet covers or plates to block unused electrical outlets. Ensure the covers are child-resistant and not easily removed by curious little hands.

• Cord Management: Keep electrical cords out of reach and secured against the wall. Use cord shorteners or winders to prevent your child from pulling on them.

• Unplug When Not in Use: Unplug appliances when they’re not in use and store them out of reach to prevent accidents.

The best way to prevent accidents is to anticipate potential dangers and stay one step ahead of your toddler's adventurous spirit! We need to allow our little people to explore the world around them but must make sure they can do this safely.

Prevention is always better than cure but it’s important to know what to do if your child does ever have an accident. Daisy First Aid offer fun and fear-free aid classes teaching vital first aid skills to parents and carers all over the UK. Learn what to do if your child ingests something poisonous, bangs their head, stops breathing suddenly, chokes, has a seizure and lots more.

To find your local trainer visit: https://www.daisyfirstaid.com/find-a-first-aid-course/

Jenni Dunman would be speaking on the Live Talks Stage at The Baby Show with Lidl GB at Olympia London from 25-27th October 2024! Don't forget to book your tickets now!

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