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1. Your child continues to require close supervision.
Accidents continue to be the principal cause of death in children in this age group.
2. Know where your child is at
all times. A 4-year-old is too young to be roaming the neighborhood alone.
3. Establish and enforce firm, clear, and
consistent rules for safe behavior.
3. If your home uses gas appliances, install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors.
4. Keep cigarettes, lighters, matches, alcohol, and electrical tools locked up and/or out of the child's sight and
reach.
4. The purchase of a trampoline is not recommended because of the risk of serious injury.
5. Insist
that your home and car be smoke free.
6. Select toys that are safe.
7. Electrical tools, firearms, matches
and poisons should be locked up, out of reach.
8. The child should not have unsupervised access to, or ride a bike
in, the street.
9. Some 4-year-olds can be taught their full name, address and phone number.
10. If bicycling,
teach safety rules and insist on helmet use.
11. Continue to use a car seat or booster seat secured properly until
the child weighs at least 60 pounds or his or her head is higher than the back of the rear seat. The greatest risk to your
child's health continues to be motor vehicle accidents. Remember, it is impossible for you to protect your child during an
accident by just holding him or her. Set a good example by always using a seat belt when driving. Never place your child in
the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger air bag. The back seat is the safest place for children of any age to ride.
12.
Always walk behind your car before backing out of the driveway.
13. Many 4-year-olds are fairly good "swimmers," but
knowing how to "swim" does not make the youngster water safe. Never leave a child unattended in a bathtub, even for a few
seconds. Ensure that your child wears a life vest if boating.
14. There is no such thing as a "child proof cap." Ingestion
of toxic substances is common at this age. Keep syrup of Ipecac in the home to be used only as directed by your child's doctor
or the poison control center.
15. Never buy toys or other objects that can cut or ingested. Suffocation by plastic
bags and balloons still occurs at this age.
16. Be especially careful when using power lawn mowers and other power
tools.
17. Test smoke detectors to ensure they are working properly.
18. Continue to use a water proof sunscreen
on your child before he or she goes outside. If possible, avoid the hours between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when the sun is the most
dangerous.
19. Advise your 4-year-old to be careful around strange dogs, especially ones that are eating.
20.
Begin to teach your child not to talk to strangers or accept food from strangers.
21. Teach your child pedestrian
safety ("look both ways before crossing the street").
For more information visit:
Town and Country Pediatrics!
Bright Futures.Org: 1 to 4 Years Old!
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