As parents, grandparents, or guardians, the biggest feat of our journey is keeping our littles from having mishaps. As much as I love my kids, they can be clumsy, absent-minded, impulsive, and stubborn.  If these traits aren’t harnessed, and we aren’t watching them all of the time, disaster can strike!  This is where these child safety tips come in.

Over the years, I have read some really great tips from experts for child safety, which of course, I am going to share with you today! 

Child Safety Tips for Your Home

Your home is the place where your children feel the safest, and it’s also the place where they spend the most time.  So it is natural that many accidents happen in the home, and with children, the chances of an accident are high since they haven’t developed their intuition for danger as much as we adults have.  

According to Safekids.org, every year more than 2,200 children die from injuries that happen in their homes and over 10,000 children fall victim to injuries in the home and need to be seen in the emergency room. Falls, suffocations, drowning, fires, and burns are the cause of many of these incidents.   

This is why articles like Childproofing for Toddlers: 9 Products for a Safer Home are a required read. Knowledge is prevention! 

Child Safety in The Living Room

The living room is likely a safe space for your child. Many good memories are made in your den, but there are hazards too.  We may not think about many of these dangers until it’s too late, so here are some tips to help you prepare for the worst! 

• Keep the cords to your electronics tied up and tucked away.  
• Educate your child on your source of heat (wood stove, baseboard heat) and make sure they know to never touch hot appliances. 
• Don’t leave large items on the floor like toys or piles of clothing, kids can trip over these things and hurt themselves. 
• Don’t leave small items that can fit in a small child’s mouth on the floor. 
• Watch your children and stop them from climbing furniture. 
• If you clean your floors, block off the living room until it’s dry to prevent falls. 
• Never leave coffee or other hot liquids unattended. 
• Apply corner guards to furniture with sharp edges.

  Child Safety and Livingroom Fun…

• Make sure your TV is firmly secured to the wall or in a position where it won’t tip over. 
• Never leave your pets alone with your child.  We all love our animals but at the end of the day, they are unpredictable. 
• Check new toys for hazards like small parts, and check online to make sure they have not been recalled (this is more common than you may think).
• Make sure rugs are firmly attached to the floor.  Rugs are one of the leading causes of falls in the home. 
• Never allow your child to play with batteries, and tell them to ask you each time they need new batteries in their toys. 
• Keep an eye on your children while they are eating and watching TV.  Choking can happen if a child gets excited while watching a show they enjoy.  I know this because I choked on a cough drop while watching “The Golden Girls”. My mother had to give me hot water to drink until it melted. 

Child Safety in The Kitchen

The kitchen is probably the most dangerous room in the house, but it’s a given that your child will spend some time in there.  Burns, falls, and poisonings are the biggest dangers that can happen in the most essential room in the home.  Here are the hazards to look out for:

• Educate your children about boiling water and the dangers and consequence of burns.  I burnt my foot with a boiling kettle of water and it took weeks for me to recover.  I told my daughter this story and it really stuck with her.  She mentions it every time we are cooking.  
• Cook on the back burner of the stove if possible. 
• If they are old enough (we started at 4 years old), involve your child in cooking meals.  This is a good opportunity to educate them on safe practices. 
• Keep knives covered and be sure to buy knives with covers. 
• Teach your children to never touch the burners on the stove or the oven itself.
• Turn the handles of pots and pans away from you while cooking. 
• Never let your child play with buttons on the dishwasher.  When they’re older, they can learn how to use the dishwasher.  

More Kitchen Safety Tips

• Never allow your child to tug on the fridge door or hang off of it. They could pull it onto themselves…fridges are top-heavy!
• Educate your child on the appliances, and why they should never open the dishwasher or use the stove without an adult. 
• Keep the cabinets that contain your cleaning chemicals locked or the handles tethered together so your child doesn’t get to the chemicals. 
• Explain to your child about chemical safety and why they should never drink any liquid they are unfamiliar with. 
• Stress the importance of proper hygiene while preparing food to your child. Teach them how and when to wash their hands (like after handling raw meat). 
• If your child has long hair, tie it back for hygiene and safety purposes. 
• Never, ever leave your child unattended in the kitchen while the stove is on. 
• Ask your child to ask for help in the kitchen. 
• Designate a space down low in your pantry for snacks so your child has easy access. 

Child Safety in The Bathroom

The bathroom is a great room for your little ones to learn some independence and try doing small skills like washing their hands.  However, it can also be a minefield of dangerous items! So here are some things to keep in mind while you show your child the ins and outs of the powder room:

• Educate your child about your heat tools for hair like blow dryers and curling irons. Although some of them look pretty, they can give a pretty nasty burn if they’re not careful!
• Keep your hair straighteners, blow dryers, and other heat tools away from where your child washes her hands. 
• Unplug every electronic item in the bathroom once you’re done with it. Don’t allow your child in the bathroom unsupervised until it’s cooled down (especially if your child is really young). 
• Don’t allow your child to use the taps alone until they have an understanding of the “hot” and “cold” taps on the sink.  They could burn themselves! 
• Keep cleaning chemicals locked away in a cabinet that’s out of sight. 

Bathtub Safety

• Always supervise your child in the bath until you feel they can be trusted (at least 4 years old of age). 
• Make sure you help them wash their hair, body, and hands until you’re confident that they can do it independently. 
• Always mop up water that has spilled on the floor. 
• Get a nice non-slip mat for your tub to prevent falls. 
• Make sure your child isn’t jumping in the bathtub, this could lead to a really bad fall. Many kids have been seriously injured while jumping in the bathtub! 
• Use a toilet lock to prevent your child from falling in. It can happen!
• If you have a view from your bathroom window, this means people can see in! Always make sure the blinds are down in your bathroom while your child is bathing or using the bathroom. 

Youth Safety and Chemicals…

It’s scary to think about, but some of the worst injuries children have experienced in the home were due to chemicals that we use every day. These chemicals like cleaners, bleach, and polishes can resemble the fruity drinks our littles enjoy. Talking to your kids about chemicals is key since some do resemble yummy drinks!  

• Explain to your child why chemicals are dangerous and how they look like Kool-Aid or other beverages they may enjoy. Stress the importance of never drinking anything that’s been sitting out unless you ask an adult. 
• Teach your children about the label guides on chemicals and what each of them means (photo shown above).
• Keep chemicals locked away and out of reach of the littles.  
• Never remove the labels of chemicals from their containers.
• Do not leave chemicals open and unattended while you’re using them.
• Never mix chemicals that you are unsure about. There have been videos going viral on social media of people making mustard gas by accident while mixing two common household cleaners. When this happens, the house must be evacuated, and this noxious gas can kill.
• Teach your child to let an adult know if there is an unknown liquid spilled on the floor. 
• Keep emergency numbers accessible.  My mother always kept her emergency numbers (for poison control and 911) on the inside of our cupboard door. I knew where to find them if I needed them. 

Child Safety in The Great Outdoors

Playing outside is a touchstone of any good childhood, but this doesn’t mean it’s without its hazards.  As an adult, with a five-year-old child and severe OCD, I can look around outside and pinpoint one million safety concerns. But as a child, I was so unaware. This is why it’s important to always watch your children while they’re outside and educate them on the dangers of the great outdoors.

• Keep an eye on your children while they’re playing outside.  It is best to be outdoors with them but if this isn’t possible, have the older children report to you if anything happens and try to maintain watch from a window. 
• Educate your children on street safety, and how to cross a road properly.  Practice crossing roads in parking lots while you’re running errands, this is fun for kids depending on their age!
• Teach your child to never go off with anyone without your permission.  Just because they know someone, this doesn’t make them a safe person. Sadly, according to statistics, more than 90% of perpetrators of molestation are known to their victims. 

Child Safety in The Woods

• Educate your child on animal encounters (like how to deal with a dog attack) and how to interact with animals native to your area.  Teach your child to never approach a random animal. 
• Talk to your child about the dangers of going into the woods on their own.  Show them videos about how easily someone can become lost, even experienced woodsmen. 
• Discuss and teach survival tips like building a fire (safety-first, of course), how to stay warm, and what you can and can’t eat in the woods in the event they get lost.  This is a good idea especially if you live rurally. 
• If your child has a treehouse, make sure the stairs or ladder are well-maintained and safe for them to be climbing. 
• Go with your gut instinct, if you don’t completely trust a neighborhood kid, don’t be afraid to set limits with your child.  For example, if you think another child is a bad influence or has a mean streak, only allow them to play with your supervision or prohibit it completely.  

Child Safety in The Water

One of the biggest fears of any parent is their child drowning or having an accident while enjoying a day of fun in the sun.  This is where preparation and attention come into play! 

• Babies and toddlers should never, ever be left unattended near water.  Bring them with you, wherever you are going.
• Get your child enrolled in swimming classes and talk to them about water safety frequently.  
• Always assess the safety of a body of water before allowing your child in.  Are there currents? Does it look clean?  Are there any signs warning of blue-green algae or other hazards? Is this body of water known to have sharks? How deep is it?  Is there a drop-off? Is it too cold?
• If you have a pool, this may be a lot of fun for the child but this means they must be constantly monitored while outside. No exceptions. 
• Until your child is older and a proficient swimmer, life jackets should always be used in bodies of water. 
• Teach your child to shout for help and get an adult if someone is drowning. If they attempt to rescue a drowning person, they can be pulled under easily. 
• Talk to your child about diving and why you should never dive into a body of water and how people have been paralyzed this way. Simply put, if you don’t know the depth, don’t dive! 

Child Safety and Stranger Danger

Stranger danger is always going to be something we preach to our children.  An abduction is every parent’s worst nightmare, so much so, that most of us watch our children (and other kids) like a hawk to protect them from predators. And like most child safety concerns, education and vigilance are key. 

• This goes without saying, but watch your child while they’re outside.  It only takes a moment for someone to snatch your child.
• Make sure your child knows how to use a phone and call your phone number (and 911), as well as your home address. Tell them they can call you any time to be picked up. 
• Always take note of what your child is wearing.  This is a hard thing to do when we are so busy with other things, but it’s good practice.  
• Strangers don’t always look odd or mean. Teach your children that bad people can pretend to be nice to get what they want. 
• Little girls are sometimes conditioned to be polite to strangers, even if they cross boundaries. Make sure that your child knows that he or she is not required to be nice. And that they are under no obligation to do what every adult says to do.
• Teach your child about what a “gut instinct” is. Tell them that if someone or something feels off, then it probably is!  

Education Is Prevention…

• Encourage your child to discuss situations that make them feel unsafe, like if they are scared while walking to a friend’s home. Find a solution to alleviate their fears. 
• This is unpleasant to think about, but it’s important to be aware of any sex offenders in your area.  There is a searchable database for the U.S., where you can search by area and it will populate a list of sex offenders in your area.
• Teach your child about the ruses that predators will use to gain their trust or sympathy.  For example, lost puppies or kittens, needing directions, or another child needing help.  Let your child know that they should always get an authority figure they know to deal with these situations.  Grown-ups never need a child’s help! 
• Buy your child a whistle and teach them when and how to use it! 
• Teach your children that awareness is key.  Tell them to always be aware of their surroundings and who is around them and their friends. 
• Have a code word for when an emergency arises and make sure your child and any adult who is picking your child up knows this code word.  
• Talk to your child about boundaries when it comes to their bodies and the importance of reporting sexual assault as soon as it happens. God forbid this happens.

Child Safety in Public

Child abductions can happen in public. Sadly, predators can be just as brazen in broad daylight with people around as they can creeping around at night. Again, (and I know this is probably the 50th time I’ve mentioned this) education is the key to keeping your littles safe!

Also, a parent should not be afraid to assert themselves with other adults.  For example, when I gave birth to my daughter, we were in the hospital for a few days.  A woman in scrubs without a name tag came into the room and wanted to take my daughter outside of the room for an exam, without me.  I told her no, and that she can do the exam right there.  She seemed taken aback, but I went with my gut. 

Never be afraid to say no when it comes to your child.  You are their voice. 

Here are a few ways you can prevent child abductions while in public:

• Go to your local police station and get a kit to take your children’s fingerprints and hair samples. These kits can come in handy in the event that your child is lost. 
• Teach your children to stay around you in public, and if they won’t, don’t be afraid to get a child protection leash, especially if your child is non-verbal. The weird looks you may get are worth keeping your child safe! 
• Memorize what your child is wearing before you leave the house, take a photo if you have to! 
• Never turn your back on your child while they’re in your shopping cart or beside you.  If you do have to turn your head to look at something, hold onto their little hand the entire time. 
• If your child becomes lost, yell out their description instead of what their name is.  “Five-year-old girl, red hair, glasses, green shirt, jeans!”  Get others to join you until he or she is found. 

The Key to Child Safety Is Prevention 

Keeping your children safe is always the goal—and the best way to do that is by educating yourself and sharing those lessons with your child. It’s a delicate balance. You don’t want to make your child overly fearful, but it is important they understand that bad situations can happen if we’re not paying attention.

By child-proofing your home and teaching your kids to think before they act, assess situations, and recognize potential risks, they’ll be far more likely to avoid accidents down the road.

For even more insight into making your home secure, don’t miss 9 Home Safety Tips From An Ex-Burglar—it’s full of eye-opening advice straight from someone who knows exactly what to watch out for.

Be aware, and stay safe!

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