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search terms: safety, child, two, three, four, year, injuries, prevention
Synonyms: safety, poisoning, falls, injuries, two, three, four, carseat, burns, firearms, vehicle safety
What should I know about injury and prevention?
Injuries are the leading cause of death in children in the United States for children under 4 years old.
Firearms in the home, poisons, falls, burns, drowning, and unsafe driving practices while your child is in the car all pose serious threats.
Since children are developing so quickly at this age, they may be able to do more than a parent realizes.
They are eager to explore and do not understand what is dangerous to them, even if you have told them no or explained.
What should I know about falls?
Your child can fall off play equipment, out of windows, downstairs, off a bike or tricycle, and off anything that can be climbed on.
Make sure the surface under play equipment is soft enough to absorb a fall.
Use safety-tested mats or loose-fill materials (shredded rubber, sand, wood chips, or bark) maintain them to a depth of at least 9 inches underneath the play equipment.
Install the protective surface at least 6 feet (more for swings and slides) in all directions around the equipment.
When riding a tricycle or bicycle, make sure they have a helmet on.
Lock the doors to any dangerous areas. Use gates on stairways and install operable window guards above the first floor.
Fence in the play yard. If your child has a serious fall or does not act normally after a fall, call your child’s primary care provider immediately.
What should I know about firearm hazards?
Children in homes where guns are present are in more danger of being shot by themselves, friends, or family members than of being injured by an intruder.
It is best to keep all guns out of the home. If you keep a gun, keep it unloaded and in a locked place, with the ammunition locked separately.
Handguns are especially dangerous.
Ask if the homes where your child visits or is cared for have guns and how they are stored.
How do I protect my child from burns?
The kitchen can be a dangerous place for your child, especially when you are cooking.
If your child is near, hot liquids, grease, and hot foods can spill on them and cause serious burns.
The ideal location for them is in an alternate room where you can monitor them.
Remember that kitchen appliances and other hot surfaces such as irons, ovens, wall heaters, and outdoor grills can burn your child long after you have finished using them.
If your child does get burned, immediately put cold water on the burned area.
Keep the burned area in cold water for a few minutes to cool it off. Then cover the burn loosely with a dry bandage or clean cloth.
Call your child’s primary care provider for all burns.
To protect your child from tap water scalds, the hottest temperature at the faucet should be 120°F.
Usually, you can adjust your water heater.
Make sure you have a working smoke alarm on every level of your home, especially in furnace and sleeping areas.
Test the alarms every month.
It is best to use smoke alarms that use long-life batteries, but if you do not, change the batteries at least once a year.
How do I keep my child safe from poisoning?
Your child will be able to open any drawer and climb anywhere curiosity leads. Your child may swallow anything they find.
Use only household products and medicines that are necessary and keep them safely capped and out of sight and reach.
Keep all products in their original containers. Use medications as directed and safely dispose of any unused medicines as soon as you are done with them.
If your child does put something poisonous in their mouth, do not make them vomit. Call the Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222) immediately. Make sure to add the Poison Help number (1-800-222-1222) to your phone contacts list.
How do I keep my child safe in a vehicle and from a vehicle?
Car crashes are the greatest danger to your child's life and health.
To prevent these injuries, correctly use a car safety seat EVERY TIME your child is in the car.
It is safest for children to ride rear-facing as long as possible, until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by the manufacturer.
Many convertible seats have limits that will permit children to ride rear-facing for 2 years or more.
When they outgrow rear-facing car seats, children should ride forward-facing in a car safety seat with a harness. Many of these can be used up to 65 pounds or more and will help provide the most protection possible.
The safest place for all children to ride is in the back seat. In an emergency, if a child must ride in the front seat, move the vehicle seat back as far as it can go, away from the air bag.
Do not allow your child to play or ride a tricycle in the street and always make sure they are wearing a helmet while riding.
Your child should play in a fenced yard or playground, as driveways can be a dangerous area.
Walk behind your car before backing out of your driveway to be sure your child is not behind your car. You may not see your child through the rearview mirror.
This publication was adapted from information from American Academy of Pediatrics Patient Education materials.
Reviewed by: CPCMG Newborn Committee, TT D.O. | 05/2024