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Teaching a pre-school child safety when out and about

Accidents are the leading cause of death for children. You’ve toddler-proofed your home; but when you’re out and about there are more potential hazards to consider.

On the move

• It’s a legal requirement to use a special car seat for a child until they are the right height to sit in a car using a seatbelt. Children under 150cm or 36kg’s in weight need to be kept in a car seat or a booster seat or cushion.
• If you are using a bicycle-mounted child seat or a bicycle-towed child trailer, have your child wear a helmet and make sure hands and feet are kept where they are supposed to be. To prevent foot injuries, use a foot well or spoke guard and a seat belt.
• Teach your child about road safety, such as which way to look for traffic and when it’s safe to cross.
• Enforce rules about hand holding and safety when you walk anywhere together, even through a shop or department store.
• Also ensure that you teach playground safety, such as which play equipment is safe to use and which is too old for them.
• Avoid exposing your toddler to too much sun and always use sunscreen.
• Make sure your child knows that strangers can be a danger to him, and that he knows he’s never to take any sweets, gifts or offers of help from people he doesn’t know.

Animals

• Certain breeds of dog like pit bulls and German Shepherds can inflict fatal bites on young children, so always supervise your child closely if any animals are around.
• Reptiles that are sometimes kept as pets such as – turtles, snakes and lizards, are a common source of salmonella infection in children.
• Keep any pet reptiles away from children under five years old, and teach older children to wash their hands after handling them.

Choking hazards

• Choking is an ever present hazard for young children who will often inquisitively place new objects into their mouths.
• Be on your guard when you’re outside the home, and remember not to let your child eat while playing or running.
• Your child may be more aware of snack foods such as boiled sweets, peanuts and popcorn when you’re out, but resist any requests for these foods – they represent serious choking hazards.
• Look for small items like safety pins and coins in the areas where your child is playing.
• Take a first aid course to learn what to do if your child is choking or if any other accidents occur.