Keeping your toddler safe in public
Toddlers and preschoolers are nothing if not curious and it makes them eager to try out new things – but they lack judgment when it comes to knowing what’s safe. This means it’s vital that you take precautions to protect your toddler or preschooler and teach him simple safety rules that will help to keep him safe in public.
At the store
Busy stores and malls are the ideal situation for a young child to wander off and get lost, so try to be vigilant and keep your attention on your child at all times. Never leave him in his stroller parked outside a store, even for a second, and if he’s walking, use a safety harness, hold his hand or make sure he holds on to his stroller.
If your child does get lost, it’s vital he knows what to do and who to approach for help. Teach him his name and telephone number, and tell him that if he can’t see you anywhere he needs to ask a store clerk or security guard, or another mom with children, for help. And make sure he knows he should shout for help if he’s scared.
Conventional
‘stranger danger’ teaching that children shouldn’t talk to strangers isn’t always helpful. It isn’t easy for a young child to understand who is a stranger, especially when there are occasions when he does have to speak to them – for example, if he has to ask for help. It’s better to teach your child that he must never go anywhere with someone he doesn’t know. Have a secret password that only you and he know, and teach him that he must never go anywhere with anyone who doesn’t know the secret password.
On the road
It’s vital to teach your child road safety as soon as possible. He needs to know how to cross the road safely and how to behave near a busy road. Don’t let him walk beside a busy road by himself, even if he’s usually well behaved. Use a safety harness so he walks safely, and encourage him to stay on the pavement and well away from the curb. He should also know never to play anywhere near a busy road or driveway.
When crossing the road, always do so at a proper crossing and wait until the safe crossing signal lights up and traffic has safely stopped. Get your child involved – he can press the button to activate the lights. When crossing the road, look and listen and if there’s a traffic island in the middle of the road, always stop and check again that it is safe to cross. The key is to make your child aware that he must constantly check if it is safe to be on the road.
At the playground
Playground safety is vital once your toddler is mobile. Do a quick safety check before letting your child use playground equipment. Does it look well maintained or is it rusty, with sharp edges? Is there anything that may be too high for a young child (a drop of four feet is best for preschoolers)? Is there protective cushioned surfacing underneath climbing frames and swings – it can help prevent head injuries if your child should fall (grass or dirt won’t absorb a fall). And if the weather is warm, always check that metal equipment, such as a slide, isn’t so hot to the touch that it could burn your child.
Teach your child that he should never use any play equipment that he has to stand on his toes to reach – it’s too high for him. He needs to know exactly what he can and should not play on and that he should use play equipment properly. That means no to twisting swings around or walking in front of them if other children are using them, and to climbing up the chute of the slide or sliding down it head first, or before the child ahead has finished. And any time that he wants to move onto another piece of equipment, he should always come to tell you first.
At the park
Parks don’t always mean playgrounds – a pleasant ramble through the great outdoors is perfect for exercise and fresh air. But healthy exploring can be hazardous if your child doesn’t know what’s safe and what isn’t.
Make sure that a walk passes uneventfully by taking some precautions. Keep away from water that might contain alligators, and any dog exercise areas where your child could come into contact with dogs or their feces. If there is no separate dog exercise area in your local park, then it’s vital that your child knows how to behave around dogs. Teach him never to approach a dog and that he should never ever run away if a dog comes near him – instead he should stand absolutely still. And he must never put his face near a dog’s or attempt to take away anything that it is playing with, such as a ball or stick.
Watch out for broken glass, and avoid areas where there is long grass where your child might pick up ticks, and meadows where there may be lots of bees. If there are bees or wasps around avoid giving your child sweet drinks or snack that could attract them.
Teach your child that each of you should always be able to see the other at all times and that he must never wander off out of your sight. Small children love to pick up interesting objects but explain that he shouldn’t pick up trash, discarded food or cigarette butts, and that he must never put anything he picks up into his mouth. He also should know not to eat plants or their berries as these can be
poisonous.
Also see gurgle’s advice on
babyproofing your yard and
home.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
Related Articles
Last Modified: 26/04/2009
Related Chat
You'll need to be logged in to post new Comments and Answers or to Chat.
Login or
Register