During this stage your baby will become more mobile. He/she will crawl and pull on furniture and other objects as they stand and take his/her first steps. They will also grab everything within reach and put everything into their mouth. At this age, children also love to play in water.

PREVENTING FALLS

• Use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairways.
• Install window guards on all windows.
• Always use a harness on high chairs, shopping trolleys and prams.
• Make sure that all furniture is stable. Try to buy safe nursery furniture with a safety mark of approval.

PREVENTING BURNS

• Always keep hot foods and hot liquids out of the baby’s reach.
• Run cold water into the bath before the hot.
• Use placemats instead of table cloths to prevent your baby from pulling hot substances down over themselves.
• Always use guards in front of open fires and heaters.
• Use safety plugs in wall sockets.

PREVENTING DROWNING

• Always empty the bath and containers filled with water after use.
• Always keep a lid on nappy buckets, or keep them behind a closed door.
• Use non-slip mats in the bath.
• Never leave your baby alone in or near water.

PREVENTING POISONING

• Keep all dangerous substances such as medication and household cleaners out of reach.
• Use safety latches on the doors to cupboards that contain poisonous substances.
• Try to use products with child resistant closures, wherever possible.

PREVENTING CHOKING & SUFFOCATION

• Do not give your baby food that he or she cannot chew, or pieces of food that are hard or too big.
• Keep all small objects such as buttons, beads, coins etc. out of reach.

KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE ON THE ROAD

• Always buckle your baby up in a car seat, even for short trips.
• Keep gates closed to ensure your baby doesn’t wander into the road.

At this age, children are exploring everything. They can usually walk, run, climb and jump. Toddlers are very active and love imitating others. Children at this age are curious. But they lack co-ordination and can’t learn from their mistakes.

PREVENTING FALLS

• Use guards on windows and balconies.
• Use safety rails on beds to prevent falls.
• Always supervise children when they’re climbing.

PREVENTING BURNS

• Most burns to young children occur in the kitchen.
• Always turn pot handles into the centre of the stove.
• Keep matches out of reach.
• Keep children away from hot objects such as irons, the oven door, heaters, etc. or place safety barriers around them.
• Keep kettle cords short and out of reach.
• Place the child in a safe area such as a playpen while you’re cooking.

PREVENTING DROWNING

• Never leave a child alone in the bath, near water such as a swimming pool or any other form of water.
• Teach children to swim as soon as possible.
• Farm dams and ponds are also a danger. Always supervise children when they’re near these and other water bodies.

PREVENTING POISONING

• Keep all poisonous substances locked away and out of reach.
• Remember that storing poisons up high is not always safe. Children can climb up to high places.
• Never tell small children that medication is a sweet treat.

PREVENTING CHOKING & SUFFOCATION

• Keep small objects out of reach.
• Do not buy toys with small parts. Read the age specification on the toy’s packaging to ensure it’s appropriate for your child.
• Never let children play with plastic bags.
• Do not give children under five peanuts or hard sweets to eat.

KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE ON THE ROAD

• Keep gates locked to prevent your child from getting into the road.
• Always buckle up children in the car.
• Small children are not always visible. Be careful in driveways.
• Never leave young children alone in the car.

Start teaching children safety rules from an early age, but remember: they don’t always remember what they’ve been told. They still need constant supervision. They usually forget safety rules when playing or when excited. At this age, they’re very quick, unpredictable and impulsive.

PREVENTING BURNS

• Keep matches, candles and lighters out of reach.
• Keep hot substances out of reach and make sure children cannot reach the stove, or other hot objects.

PREVENTING DROWNING

• Teach children how to swim.
• Install fences around swimming pools, or install a safety net. Pools will never be safe without these.
• Use swimming aids as an extra precaution, but always supervise children when they are near water — even if they can swim.

PREVENTING POISONING

• Children in this age group are especially prone to drinking or eating poisonous substances such as medication, household cleaners or fuels.
• Always store these in a lockable cupboard and use child-resistant closures.
• Never allow children to take their own medication.
• Always read dosage instructions.

KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE ON THE ROAD

• Begin teaching children about the rules of the road.
• Children of this age should not have access to the road without supervision.
• Always buckle up.
• Children should play in safe, fenced areas

At this age, children usually know what is dangerous but do not always remember. They still need supervision.

PREVENTING FALLS

• Allow children to climb, as this is important for their co-ordination and development. However, you must teach children how to use play equipment correctly. Never allow rough and unsafe behaviour on the equipment.
• Keep dangerous tools and equipment out of reach.

PREVENTING BURNS

• Teach children not to play with matches.
• Extinguish outside fires with water and not sand. This will prevent children from burning their feet on hot coals.
• Keep flammable substances out of reach.

PREVENTING DROWNING

• Even if a child knows how to swim, never let them swim alone.
• Use lifejackets when on a boat.
• Teach children water survival skills such as what to do when in trouble in the water.

PREVENTING POISONING

• Teach children not to eat berries or plants from any garden.
• Teach them the dangers of hazardous substances.

KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE ON THE ROAD

• Always set a good example to children, i.e. crossing the road properly and always wearing your seatbelt.
• Continue teaching the dangers and safe use of the road.
• Always buckle children up in motor vehicles.