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Injuries to a young child may have a negative impact on their development. In these three charts, Head Start managers and staff can consult the characteristics, injury risks, and injury prevention measures for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
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The following is an excerpt from Safety First: Preventing & Managing Childhood Injuries.
Infants: (birth to one year)
Toddlers: (one to three years)
Preschoolers: (three to five years)
| Safety for young children: Infants (birth to one year old) |
| Typical Development Characteristics |
Injury Risks |
Injury Prevention Measures
*Always have close adult supervision.
Never leave preschoolers in care of a young child.* |
| Completely dependent on caregivers. |
Falls |
Never leave infant alone on changing table or bed.
Use sturdy high chair with safety strap.
Do not use infant walker.
Use gate on stairs and protective rails on balconies. |
Needs frequent feeding, diapering, and comforting.
Communicates needs by crying.
Limited head and body control.
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Suffocation, Strangulation, Choking |
Put infant to sleep on back.
Use cribs with slats < 2 3/8" wide, tight-fitting mattress, no corner posts.
Don't put infant to sleep on waterbed, bean bag, sheepskin, pillow, down comforter.
Don't feed infant nuts, whole grapes, hot dog rounds, meat chunks, candy.
Keep coins, jewelry, small toys, plastic bags, balloons out of reach.
Tie up window shade cords.
Don't dress infant in hoods with drawstrings.
Know how to save a choking infant. |
| Motor skills developing rapidly from wiggling to rolling, reaching out, crawling, pulling up, cruising, and walking. |
Drowning |
Never leave infant alone in or near tub, pool, bodies of water.
Fence in pools.
Don't leave water in 5-gallon buckets.
Know rescue breathing for infants. |
| Puts things in mouth. |
Poisoning |
Use child safety caps on medicine.
Store medicine, cosmetics, alcohol, tobacco, cleaning fluids, chemicals out of reach.
Post poison control number next to telephone. |
| Doesn't understand danger. |
Burns |
Lower water temperature to < 120 deg. F. Never leave infant alone near hot liquids.
Install screens over fireplace and heaters.
Put safety covers on electric outlets. Keep electric cords out of reach.
Install smoke detectors. |
Motor
Vehicle |
Secure in an infant car seat and seat belt, in back seat, when riding in car or truck. |
| Violence, Child Abuse |
Learn about child development.
Develop stress reduction skills and a support system.
Don't shake or hit the baby. |
| Safety for young children: Toddlers (one to three years old) |
| Typical Development Characteristics |
Injury Risks |
Injury Prevention Measures
*Always have close adult supervision.
Never leave preschoolers in care of a young child.* |
| Very dependent on caregivers, but increasing independence. |
Falls |
Use gate on stairs and protective rails on balconies.
Move furniture away from windows. Install window screens and guards.
Use safe play equipment < 3 feet high over sand, wood chips or rubber mat. |
| Curious |
Suffocation, Strangulation, Choking |
Teach toddler not to put non-food items in mouth.
Don't feed toddler nuts, whole grapes, hot dog rounds, meat chunks, candy.
Keep coins, jewelry, small toys, plastic bags, balloons out of reach.
Tie up window shade cords.
Don't dress toddler in hoods with drawstrings.
Know how to save a choking child. |
| Walks, climbs, runs, and explores the environment. |
| Can open doors and drawers. |
| Imitates older children and adults. |
Drowning |
Never leave toddler alone in or near tub, pool, bodies of water. Fence in pools.
Don't leave water in 5-gallon buckets.
Know rescue breathing for children. |
| Wants to do things himself. |
Poisoning |
Use child safety caps on medicine. Never call medicine ""candy.""
Keep medicine, cosmetics, alcohol, tobacco, cleaning fluids, chemicals out of reach.
Use safety latches on cabinets.
Post poison
control number next to telephone. |
| Can have strong emotions and intense interactions with others. |
Burns |
Teach not to touch stove or play with fire.
Lower water temperature to < 120 deg. F.
Never leave toddler alone near hot liquid, stove or fire.
Cook on back burners and turn pot handles to rear.
Keep matches and lighters out of reach.
Install screens over fireplace and heaters.
Put safety covers on electric outlets. Keep electric cords out of reach.
Install smoke detectors. |
| Increasing verbal ability to express needs and wants. Says “no.” |
| Has limited understanding of danger. |
Motor
Vehicle |
Teach to hold hands and cross street at crosswalk with green light and ""walk"" sign.
Secure in a child car seat and seat belt, in back seat, when riding in car or truck. |
| May begin toilet learning |
Violence, Child Abuse |
Learn about child development.
Develop stress reduction skills and a support system.
Discipline with positive guidance. Don't hit or belittle the child.
Limit television to < 2 hours/day, no violent shows.
Teach toddler to use words instead of hitting.
Teach toddler not to touch knives, sharp tools, firearms.
Lock up firearms separate from ammunition. |
| Safety for young children: Preschoolers (three to five years old) |
| Typical Development Characteristics |
Injury Risks |
Injury Prevention Measures
*Always have close adult supervision.
Never leave preschooler in care of a young child.* |
| Increasing independence, but still dependent on caregivers. |
Falls |
Install window screens and guards.
Use safe play equipment < 6 feet high over sand, wood chips or rubber mat.
Don't let play on ladders, roof, cliffs. Teach to stay away from the edge. |
Can be curious and daring.
Runs fast, climbs high, jumps, can ride a tricycle. |
Suffocation, Strangulation, Choking |
Teach child not to put non-food items in mouth.
Teach to eat while seated.
Keep plastic bags and balloons out of reach.
Don't let play with small toys and marbles, if under 4 years.
Don't dress child in hoods with drawstrings.
Know how to save a choking child. |
| Can open doors and drawers. |
Drowning |
Never leave child alone in or near pool or bodies of water. Fence in pools.
Can begin swimming lessons.
Know rescue breathing for children. |
Imitates older children and adults.
Enjoys using tools and playing games. |
Poisoning |
Use child safety caps on medicine. Never call medicine "candy."
Keep medicine, cosmetics, alcohol, tobacco, cleaning fluids, chemicals out of reach.
Use safety latches on cabinets.
Post poison control number next to telephone. |
| Can have strong emotions and intense interactions with others. |
Burns |
Teach not to touch stove or play with fire. Keep matches and lighters out of reach.
Lower hot water temperature to < 120 deg. F.
Install smoke detectors.
Teach "stop, drop and roll" and fire escape routes. |
| Increasing verbal ability to express likes and dislikes, wants and needs. Has limited understanding of danger. |
Motor Vehicle |
Teach to hold hands and cross street at crosswalk with green light and "walk" sign.
Teach to watch for cars in driveways and not to chase a ball into the street.
Teach bicycle safety and use helmet on tricycle/bicycle.
Secure in a child car seat (until 4 yrs. and 40 lbs.) and seat belt, in back seat, when riding in car or truck. |
| Has limited understanding of danger |
Violence, Child Abuse |
Learn about child development.
Develop stress reduction skills and a support system.
Discipline with positive guidance. Don't hit or belittle the child.
Limit television to < 2 hours/day, no violent shows.
Teach child to use words instead of hitting.
Teach child not to touch knives, sharp tools, firearms.
Lock up firearms separate from ammunition.
Teach child not to go with strangers and not to let others touch "private parts."
Teach name, address, telephone number, and how to dial 911. |
See also:
Prevention and Development: [A Learning Activity]
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"Safety for Children." Safety First:
Preventing & Managing Childhood Injuries. Training Guides for the Head Start Learning Community. HHS/ACF/ACYF/HSB. 1996. English.
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