Healthy Dozen Tips on Summer Safety for Toddlers

The U.S. surgeon general has outlined a dozen tips to help keep toddlers safe and healthy this summer.

“For toddlers, everything is new and wonderful. Curiosity and discovery are natural parts of childhood, and children of all ages can benefit from a few simple reminders to parents and caregivers that can keep toddlers healthy and safe.” Said Richard Carmona, MD, MPH. “As a child begins to walk, a whole host of new dangers are available to them. Be sure to safety-proof your home and begin to teach children good health and safety habits that will last a lifetime.”

Dr. Carmona has declared 2005 “The Year of the Healthy Child” for the Office of the Surgeon General.

“We’re looking at ways to keep children healthy and safe, from pre-birth through their teen years,” he said. “Each phase of a child’s life has it’s own series of potential hazards; and we’re trying to shine a light on preventing illnesses, injuries and deaths. By getting the best information out to parents and caregivers, I hope every child will grow up healthy, happy, and able to reach their potential.”

His “Healthy Dozen Tips” on summer safety for toddlers are to teach healthy eating, begin a habit of good oral health, don’t smoke, give positive feedback, use a car safety seat, safety-proof the house, never leave a toddler unattended, make sure the child has a primary health provider, fully immunize the child, know child first aid and CPR, practice prevention and safety, and have fun.

The first tip, on healthy eating, states that children need three nutritious meals a day, supplemented with two to three healthy snacks. Toddlers should be fed at the same time as other family members and be allowed to grow into feeding themselves. Offer children nutritious foods and let them decide how much to eat. Avoid foods and drinks that are high in sugar. Adults should act as role models and follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (www.healthierus.gov).

It’s important to begin a habit of good oral health for children. Begin brushing a child’s teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush when teeth first appear and continue until age 3 or 4, when the child can start learning how to brush. Flouridated toothpaste should be introduced at age 2.

Don’t allow anyone to smoke around the child. Second-hand smoke can have a harmful effect on breathing and long-term respiratory consequences. Diseases of the respiratory system comprise the leading cause of child hospitalization and toddler doctor visits.

The fourth tip is to give toddlers positive feedback. Praise good behavior and accomplishments and hug, talk, read, explore, and play together. This ensures a healthy bond between children and their parents or caregivers.

Children must ride in an age and weight appropriate child safety seat, correctly installed in the back seat, on every trip.

Safety-proof the home by moving all medications and cleaning products to high shelves to prevent accidental poisoning, setting the temperature of the hot water heater to 120 degrees F to prevent burns, never leaving cups of hot liquid on tables or counter edges or carrying hot liquids or food while holding a child, and installing a toilet lid lock on every toilet in the home to prevent drowning. Finally, make sure toys do not have parts that are small enough to choke on. Any toy part can be tested to see if it’s a choking hazard by simply dropping it through a paper towel roll. If it goes through, the piece is too small.

Never leave a toddler unattended. As children grow, so does their natural curiosity to explore. It just takes a few seconds for an inquisitive toddler to get into a dangerous situation.

Prevention is the key to a healthy childhood. All children need to have a primary health provider, such as a pediatrician or family practitioner, who knows them before they have an illness, injury or developmental delay that requires medical attention.

Parents and caregivers should be prepared in knowing child first aid and CPR, as well as how to call for help, such as poison control (800-222-1222).

To practice prevention and safety, teach the child safety tips such as always swimming with a buddy and wearing a bicycle helmet. Children also need to know about sun safety, including wearing a hat outdoors and frequently applying SPF 30 sunscreen. Older toddlers should know their name, parents’ names and phone number so they are prepared if they encounter a potentially dangerous situation or become separated from a parent or caregiver. Children should be taught to recognize police and fire officials as trusted individuals and to be cautious with other strangers.

The surgeon general’s final tip to parents and caregivers is to have fun with toddlers by talking, reading, exploring and playing together.

Healthy Dozen Tips:

• Teach healthy eating.
• Begin a habit of good oral health.
• Don’t smoke.
• Give positive feedback.
• Always use a car safety seat.
• Safety-proof the house.
• Never leave a toddler unattended.
• Make sure a child has a primary health provider.
• Fully immunize the child.
• Know child first aid and CPR.
• Practice prevention and safety.
• Have fun.