From the ages of 1 to 2 years, the child begins the most accident-prone stage of life. It is important for parents to recognize that the child can now walk, run, climb, jump, and explore wherever the environment is unrestricted. Do not leave a toddler unattended for even short periods of time. Remember, more accidents occur during toddler years than any other stage of childhood. Rules specific to not playing in streets or crossing without adults should be introduced and strictly adhered to.
Falls are an important source of injury.
Keep gates or doors closed to stairways and use guards for all windows above the ground floor. Do not leave chairs or ladders in areas likely to entice the toddler into climbing up to explore new areas. Use corner guards on furniture in areas where the toddler is likely to walk, play, or run. When cooking, toddlers should be restricted from the kitchen with a safety gate or placed in a playpen or high chair to eliminate the danger of burns by pulling hot foods off the stove or bumping into the hot oven door. Toddlers love to play in water but should never be allowed to do so alone.