Safety for toddlers and pre-schoolers

• Falls
• Poisoning
• Choking on small objects
• Burns and Scalds
• Drowning
• Road injuries from riding in the car or being a pedestrian

Safety Check

• Install safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs
• Keep medicines, cleaning products and other poisons locked high and away
• Install smoke alarms, test them regularly and change the batteries on the 1^st April
• Check that the delivery temperature of the hot water in your home is set to 50 degrees Celsius
• Use a child car restraint that is suitable for your child's age and size
• Keep hot food and drink out of reach. Use lids on hot drinks and try to keep children out of the kitchen when cooking
• Secure top-heavy furniture such as televisions, bookshelves and chest of drawers to the walls to avoid these toppling onto children

Minimising the risk

Poisoning 

• Store all medicines, cleaning products and other chemicals in their original containers
• Make sure all poisons are stored up high in a lockable cupboard, preferably 1.5 m high
• Return all poisons immediately to their safe storage area after use
• Do not store potential poisons near foods. If medications need to be refrigerated, store them in a lockable container out of children’s reach
• Never refer to medicines or vitamins as “lollies”, and always read the label before giving medicine
• Make sure handbags are out of reach of children as they may contain products such as  medication
• Always keep the Poisons Information Centre phone number (13 11 26) near your phone

Drowning

• Always supervise a child in the bathroom. DO NOT let older children supervise your toddler. They may not know how to keep your toddler safe
• Close doors to bathrooms and make sure to empty the bath and other items such as paddling pools and buckets immediately after use
• Make sure you cover ponds and water features with a strong mesh that holds your child’s weight
• Set rules for your family when near water
• For home swimming pools and spas, the best option is to install isolation barriers with a well maintained  self-closing and self-latching gate
• Learn CPR and update your training regularly

Burns and Scalds 

• Install guards around fires, heaters and on top of stoves. Teach children why these are in  place
• Keep children out of the kitchen while preparing meals. When cooking, use rear hot plates first and turn pot handles to the back of the stove or bench
• Put your child down before consuming hot drinks, and before using hot pots, pans and kettles. Use a commuter mug with a lid for hot  drinks
• Keep appliance cords out of reach of children and hot items at the back of the bench
• Choose low fire-risk children’s nightwear that is close fitting and made of less flammable material. Look for the fire risk label
• Use a hot water tempering device to control the temperature of your tap water to a maximum of 50°C. A licensed plumber can install this for  you
• Always test the bath water temperature before bathing your child. The maximum recommended temperature for bathing your child is 38°C
• Always run the cold water first and last when filling up a bath and never leave a hot running bath unattended

Choking and Suffocation

• Always supervise young children and check their play areas regularly for  potential choking objects
• Buy toys that are suitable for your child’s age by following the labels. Toys that can break easily and have parts that can come loose should be avoided
• Keep older children’s toys with small parts away from young children
• Avoid giving hard food to young children. Raw carrot, celery sticks and apples should be chopped into small pieces and tough skins removed
• Supervise young children and make sure they sit quietly while eating
• Avoid necklaces and other jewellery that can get caught, including items such as amber beads
• Be aware of cords and strings on clothing that can catch on play equipment
• Button batteries can pose a great risk

Falls

• Keep furniture, including children’s bed, away from windows and balconies, to prevent children climbing on furniture and falling out
• Put a window guard in front of your child’s window or fasten the windows so they don’t open more than 10 centimeters (4 inches). A flyscreen will not prevent your child from falling out
• Install gates at the top and bottom of stairs and teach kids to navigate stairs safely
• Always use the five point harness provided in prams, strollers and highchairs
• Use a rubber bath mat or non-slip stickers in the bathtub to prevent falls

The car

For more information on child safety, visit:

• healthywa.wa.gov.au 
• Kidsafe WA
• raisingchildren.net.au

This publication is for general education and information purposes. Contact a qualified healthcare professional for any medical advice needed. 

© State of Western Australia, Child and Adolescent Health Service

Produced by: Child and Adolescent Health Service - Community Health with kind permission from Kidsafe WA
Reference: CAH-000993
Last reviewed: 2018

This document can be made available in alternative formats on request for a person with a disability.