Preschooler safety: in a nutshell

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Preschoolers are spring-loaded with energy. At this age, they love to run around outdoors, climb things, crawl under things, ride on things and muck around with water.

Thankfully, you can now start teaching him some simple safety rules. Even with his impressive new learning, he still relies on you to keep him safe at all times. Read more about how to keep your preschooler safe.

Outdoor safety

Playgrounds

• The chance of a playground injury is greater for preschool and primary school children, as they are developing body strength and judgement skills.
• Falls are the most common injury. The safest equipment for children three to five years is less than 1.5 metres high (no taller than the average woman).
• Try to watch your child at all times and stand nearby if he is trying a daring new feat.

Read more about playground safety.

Things with wheels

• Wheels can be tricky to master. Lots of practise in a safe area will build up his confidence.
• Falls are part of the wheels deal. Without well-fitting protective gear for bikes, skateboards and rollerblades (helmet, kneepads, elbow guards), your preschooler can badly injure himself.
• Teach your child how to stay safe on wheels.

Water

To help your child stay safe around pools:

• Always stay with your child when he is in or near the water, even if he can swim.
• Remember that drowning can take less than a minute and is silent. Keep an eye on him at all times around water.
• Swim between the flags when at the beach.
• You may want to learn resuscitation techniques such as CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) so that you can help if your child gets into trouble.

Cars and road safety

• Buckle up. In the car, preschoolers should sit in a child restraint or a booster seat. Use a car restraint that meets Australian standards.
• Consider a booster seat for children over four. Studies show that older children still get much more protection from their seatbelt if they use a booster seat.
• Don’t leave him unattended. Your car is an oven on wheels and children can overheat very quickly if left inside. Because this happens from time to time, the police take it very seriously. If you have to duck into the shop, take your child with you. Get some more tips on car safety.
• Take his hand. Until the age of about 10, children are not able to keep themselves safe around traffic. Always hold your preschooler’s hand in carparks and when walking on footpaths or crossing a road.
• Kids do as you do. Children learn by example, so you can teach him about road safety by always crossing at the lights or zebra crossing.

Stranger danger

As your preschooler's world expands, there will be times when you will not be there to keep him safe, like when he is at preschool or at a friend’s birthday party. Let him know that if you are running late to pick him up, he should stay in a safe area, such as the preschool playground, until you arrive. It is important that he understands 'stranger danger' so that he can stay safe even when you are not around.

Safety at home

The world is your preschooler’s playground, including the inside of your house! Make sure your furniture is secure enough to withstand his weight and consider these other tips:

• Attach wobbly furniture to the wall (so that it can’t fall on top of him) or remove it.
• Sharp corners can cause a nasty accident. Use corner protectors or clear your sharp furniture from areas where children run.
• Athletic and curious preschoolers love to climb. Keep second storey windows locked or shield them with secure screens so children can’t fall out. Remove chairs and pot plants that can be used to climb on. Block off access to balcony areas.
• Store medicines, chemical sprays and household cleaners in child-resistant containers. Keep them in locked cupboards high out of reach. Preschoolers love gadgets that squirt (like water pistols), so be sure to keep pump-action bottles out of reach when you are cleaning.
• Avoid storing detergents, paint thinners and other hazardous liquids in empty soft drink or juice bottles. Your child may think he's found something nice to drink.
• A child doesn’t know that a shiny exhaust pipe, hot water or an iron can burn. The best way to prevent burns is to keep children away from fire and hot surfaces. Also, if you keep sending the message that the oven is hot, the iron is hot, and so on, he may be inclined to stay away. Find out how to prevent burns.

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  Newsletter snippet: Preschooler safety: in a nutshell
  

   

  By Raising Children Network

  With their boundless energy, preschoolers love to run, climb and crawl. They can learn simple safety rules, but they still need your guidance and attention.
  
  Outdoor safety

  • Playgrounds are fun but the risk of falling is real, so watch your child at all times.
  • Dress your preschooler in well-fitting protective gear when bikes, skateboards, rollerblades or other toys with wheels are involved.
  • Always watch your child when he is playing in or with water.
  • Use a child restraint or booster seat in the car.
  • Never leave your child alone in the car.
  • Hold hands when crossing a road or car park.
  • Always cross at the lights.
  • Teach your preschooler about ‘stranger danger’.

  Safety at home

  • Secure wobbly furniture.
  • Use corner protectors on sharp furniture.
  • Secure windows or balconies.
  • Store medicines, cleaners and chemicals out of reach.
  • Keep your preschooler away from hot surfaces.

  This article is an extract only. For more information, visit raisingchildren.net.au/safety/preschoolers_safety.html.

  Sourced from the Raising Children Network's comprehensive and quality-assured Australian parenting website www.raisingchildren.net.au.