1 to 4 Years

For All Ages:

• Keep home smoke free

• Learn CPR

• Install smoke alarms in all rooms and test every six months

• Keep water heater temperature below 120° F

• Always place hot foods and liquids in a safe place, out of reach of children

• Follow water safety signs and swim where lifeguards are present

• Teach children how to swim

Developmental Stages & Accomplishments

Child begins to climb and use objects as a ladder.
The child is able to reach higher and open doors and gates.

• Becoming an individual is important. The child learns to say “no”.
Insists on doing things differently. Challenges parents.

  • Avoid food items that may be a choking hazard (hot dogs, grapes, candy, popcorn)
  • Keep small objects (buttons, coins, stones) and plastic items (balloons, bags, wrappers) out of reach.
  • Handle baby gently-Never Shake a baby.
  • Avoid rough play and throwing baby in the air.
  • Know coping strategies when dealing with crying.
  • Know ways to comfort a crying child.
  • Actively supervise children in and around water. Never leave your child unattended.
  • Keep toilet lids closed and doors to bathrooms and laundry rooms closed.
  • Make sure home pools have four sided fencing that’s at least four feet high with self-closing, self-latching gates to prevent a child from wandering into the pool area unsupervised. 
  • Remove distractions (electronic devices, books) when around water
  • Empty buckets, kids pools and containers with water after each use.
  • Use safety gates for stairs, lock lanais, close doors and use door knob covers.
  • Avoid placing furniture near windows or railings.
  • Actively supervise children at playgrounds, and check equipment before using.
  • Always buckle child correctly into child passenger
    safety seat, in back seat of car.
  • Never put child in front of an airbag.
  • Don’t let child ride in back of pick-up truck.
  • Install working smoke alarms in all rooms and check every 6 months, replace as needed.
  • Cover electrical outlets and keep cords out of reach of children.
  • Always place hot foods or liquids out of reach of children.
  • Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children, and teach them never to play with fire.
  • Keep medicine, cleaning agents, paints, and other chemicals out of the reach of children.
  • Keep medications, including vitamins, out of reach and out of sight.
  • Keep medicine in its original container.
  • Save the Poison Help Line in your phone, 1-800-222-1222
  • Ask your child’s doctor about lead testing.
  • Install safety latches/devices where dangerous items are stored.
  • Store guns out of the home, or keep unloaded and locked in a place separate from ammunition.
  • Teach child never to touch a gun, tell an adult if you see one.
  • Talk to family and friends about safe gun storage.
  • Do not allow child to play near street or parked cars.
  • Teach child good walking habits – stop at curb,
    look both ways, cross streets only with adults.
  • Make sure bike helmet is worn the right way – low
    over forehead, strap tight.