Children's Health

It is a constant challenge to keep your child safe. Children ages 2 to 5 years often do not recognize dangers without constant reminders because they reason with self-centered (egocentric) perceptions and magical thinking. These thought patterns lead children to overestimate what is in their control, which contributes to their vulnerability. They are often unaware of the consequences of their actions.

You cannot protect your child from every danger he or she can possibly encounter outside the home. But you can equip your child with some basic safety rules and precautions. Let your child's natural surroundings give you ideas for general training to help prepare your child for a variety of situations he or she may face.

To help avoid accidents, injuries, and unsafe situations outside the home, establish and review basic rules before outings and frequently reinforce them. And let other caregivers know about them.

Basic safety precautions

• Always use a car seat and have your child ride in the backseat of your car. Car accidents are the leading cause of death and injury in young children. Many injuries and deaths can be avoided by using proper child restraints. Because state regulations vary and may not include important points to keep your child as safe as possible, follow basic guidelines established by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Go to the AAP website at www.healthychildren.org.
• Never leave your child alone in a car. Heat inside the car and other factors could cause long-lasting injury-or death-in a matter of minutes. A young child's body temperature can raise 3 to 5 times faster than that of an adult. Keeping the car windows down will not protect your child in hot or warm weather. Other injuries could also occur from a child getting stuck in the trunk or setting the car in motion.
• Help your child become "street smart." Teach your child basic rules about the dangers of cars and streets.
• Help your child understand "stranger danger." Many parents fear child abduction. Most children who are abducted are not taken by strangers but rather by a parent, relative, family friend, or acquaintance. But it is still important to teach your child to be cautious of strangers and how to react when they feel they are threatened.
• Teach proper behavior around animals. Your child should learn how to respond to unfamiliar animals. Teach your child how to interact with family pets and other animals that he or she is likely to come across.
• Prevent sunburns (radiation burns). Radiation burns are caused by the sun, tanning booths, sunlamps, X-rays, or radiation therapy for cancer treatment. Radiation burns in children usually are caused by sun exposure and can cause lasting skin damage. Keep children out of the sun or use sun-protection measures when your child is outdoors.
• Use insect repellents to prevent bites and stings. Also, take action to prevent exposure to stinging insects, such as having your child wear closed shoes, socks, and clothes that fully cover his or her body when outdoors.
• Teach your child swimming safety. You can help prevent a drowning accident by making sure your child knows how to behave while in and around water. If you have a swimming pool at home, make sure to take safety measures. If you live near irrigation canals, teach your child not to play in or near them.
• Keep your child safe on the playground. Make sure all play equipment is safe, in good repair, and appropriate for your child's age. Closely supervise all young children while they are playing on any equipment.