Children’s Safety
Children’s Safety
Active supervision and safety
Life with a baby or young child can busy and unpredictable! As your child grows and begins to explore, their needs and the things that might put them at risk will change too. Staying one step ahead can help keep them safe.
Try to think about what they might be ready to do next (like crawling, climbing, or reaching for something new), so you can prepare and make a safer space for them to explore and learn. Babies and toddlers are naturally curious and love to discover new things.
The best way to keep your child safe is by staying close and keeping an eye on what they’re up to. Active supervision, along with childproofing your home, can go a long way in preventing serious injuries as they learn about the world around them.
Common types of injuries for babies and young children
- falls
- motor vehicle collisions
- burns
- poisoning
- drowning
- choking, strangulation and suffocation
- head injuries
Get updates on potential health hazards
Falls
In Halton, falls are one of the most common causes of injury for young children. Falls may cause broken bones, head injuries, or cuts. Most falls can be prevented with a few simple steps recommended by Health Canada.
Even newborns can fall
- Babies can move before they can roll. Always keep one hand on your baby or the safety belts provided when using a changing table, bed, or sofa.
- Never place car seats or baby chairs on tables or counters; they can tip over easily.
- Adjust the crib mattress height as your baby grows.
Before they learn to crawl, it’s time for gates
- Install safety gates, especially near stairs.
- Use gates that attach to the wall or stair posts. Pressure-mounted gates are not safe at the top of stairs.
Keep windows and balconies safe
- Keep cribs, beds, and furniture away from windows (external link) or balcony door handles.
- Put guards on windows or make sure they don’t open too wide. Never rely on window screens; they won’t stop a fall.
- Keep balcony doors locked, and install high locks or latches that kids can’t reach. You can also use devices that close doors by themselves.
Falls are a normal part of learning. Children fall as they learn to walk, run, climb, and explore; it's all part of growing up. Outdoor play and risky play help build confidence and strength. Let them explore with safe boundaries and active supervision – stay focused and try not to get distracted by your phone or other things. With just a few changes at home and close attention during play, you can help protect your child from serious falls.
Resources to help prevent falls
Motor vehicle collisions
Using car seats safely
As a parent/caregiver, your child’s safety is always a top priority. One of the most important ways to protect them while driving is by using the right car seat or booster seat (external link). These seats are designed to keep your child safe in the event of a crash by helping to spread the force of any impact across the strongest parts of their body.
In Ontario, child car seats are required by law. If you don’t use one or if you’re not using it correctly, you could be fined under the Highway Traffic Act. It’s important to make sure your child is in the right car seat for their age, weight, and size, and that it's properly installed (external link) to keep them safe while driving.
The National Safety Mark shows that a vehicle or a child car seat meets the necessary standards.
Before buying a car seat
Car seat reminders
Second-hand carseats
Check your carseats
Burns
Children’s skin is thinner and more sensitive than adult skin. That means it can burn more easily and more deeply, even from a short time near heat.
Here are some simple tips recommended by Health Canada to help prevent burns at home (external link):
- Test bathwater first. Always test your child’s bathwater before putting them in. It should feel warm, not hot. Use your wrist or elbow to check since it’s more sensitive than your hand.
- Reduce the temperature (external link) of your hot water heater to 49°C (120°F) or lower, to help prevent burns if your child turns on the tap.
- Never hold your baby while drinking something hot, cooking, or smoking. Babies and children can move unexpectedly. Use a cup with a tight-fitting lid when around your children.
- Keep hot items where children can’t touch them. Always place hot drinks and food out of your child’s reach. Make sure cords from kettles, slow cookers, and other appliances are tucked away so little hands can’t grab them.
- When cooking, remember to turn pot handles toward the back of the stove to help prevent spills and burns.
- Be fire-safe at home! Make sure your home has working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, and check the batteries often. Keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen and make sure you know how to use it.
Sun safety
Children have sensitive skin that can be hurt easily by the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, even when it’s cloudy or the sun isn’t shining brightly. Find out the ways Health Canada recommends to protect your young child’s skin and eyes from the sun (external link).
Poisoning
Poisoning is a serious risk for young children. Even a small amount of certain substances (external link), like medicine, can be very dangerous or even deadly.
Common things that can poison children
- Medication: Even a small amount of adult medicine or vitamins can be deadly for kids.
- Household cleaners: Products like bleach, toilet bowl cleaner, and laundry pods are poisonous and can be dangerous.
- Personal care products: Things like mouthwash, nail polish, perfume, and hand sanitizer can be harmful if swallowed
Tips to prevent poisoning recommended by Health Canada
- Store all poisonous items (external link) out of reach and out of sight of children.
- Lock cabinets or use safety latches to keep dangerous products secure.
- Keep items in their original containers with clear labels. Never pour into cups or food containers.
- Don’t call medicine candy; this can confuse children and make them more likely to try it when you aren’t around.
- Always watch closely. Children are curious and fast. Always supervise them, especially in kitchens, bathrooms, and other places where harmful products are stored.
In case of emergency
Drowning and water safety
Drowning can happen quickly and quietly (external link), especially in young children. Always stay close, pay attention, and help protect your child by teaching water safety skills and using barriers like pool fences (external link).
Risk of drowning
Children are at a greater risk of drowning because:
- they are drawn to water, but don’t understand that it can be dangerous
- they may be able to walk, but can’t swim
- they have poor balance and coordination, making it easier to fall into water
- their lungs are small, so they can fill with water faster than older kids or adults
- a child can drown in just 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water
Always stay close
- Always keep children within arm’s reach when they are near or in water.
- Never leave a child alone, even for a second. Drowning can happen silently and fast.
- Stay off your phone and avoid distractions during water play or bath time.
Be careful around all water
- Empty bathtubs, buckets, and kiddie pools right after use.
- Make sure young children and inexperienced swimmers always wear a properly fitted, approved lifejacket, or personal flotation device (PFD) when playing near water.
- Make sure hot tub covers are closed when not in use.
- Pools should be fully fenced on all four sides, not just between the pool and the street or neighbour’s yard. The fence should have a self-closing, self-latching gate, and the latch should be high enough that children can’t reach it.
- If your home has doors that lead directly to the pool area, install safety latches or alarms.
Choking, strangulation, sleep safety, and suffocation hazards
Young children explore the world by putting things in their mouths, which can lead to choking (external link). They are also at risk for strangulation and suffocation (external link), especially during sleep or play.
Choking hazards
- Only offer age-appropriate toys that are too large to swallow. If an object fits through a cardboard toilet paper roll, it’s too small and could cause choking.
- Be careful with puzzle pieces, small toys, building blocks, marbles, coins, and batteries.
- Teach older siblings to keep their toys in a safe place where little brother or sister can't get to them.
- Keep floors and play areas clean, especially if older children are playing nearby.
- Safely offer food (external link). Cut food into small, soft pieces and always supervise mealtimes.
Strangulation risks
- Keep cords out of reach, including window blind cords, electrical cords, and ropes.
- Never allow children to play with or near strings, necklaces, or drawstrings on clothing.
- Make sure that when your child is playing at the playground or play structures, your child is not wearing anything that could be a choking hazard or could easily become entangled.
Sleep safety
Health Canada recommends that you make sure children have safe sleep environments and try to avoid some common items that could affect your child’s breathing.
- In cribs, avoid pillows, heavy blankets, stuffed animals, and bumper pads (external link). They can block a baby or child’s breathing.
- Make sure once your child is sleeping in a bigger bed that there are no gaps between walls and mattresses where the child could get stuck.
Sleep safety for babies under one year of age:
- Always place babies on their backs to sleep in a firm, flat crib with a fitted sheet only. The safest place for a baby to sleep is alone in a crib, cradle or bassinet (external link) that meets current Canadian regulations.
- Babies have a lower risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndromes (SIDS) (external link) when your baby's crib, cradle or bassinet is in your bedroom for the first 6 months. This is called room sharing and it is different than bed sharing. Understand the risks of bed sharing (external link).
- Other ways to lower your baby’s risk of SIDS are to have a smoke-free home and to breastfeed your baby.
Keep your child comfortable and safe
Suffocation hazards
Baby slings and carriers can help keep your baby close, but it's important to use them safely. Improper positioning may pose a risk of suffocation, especially for infants under four months of age, born early or with medical issues. Always ensure your baby’s face is visible and not pressed against fabric or your body. For detailed safety tips and guidance, visit Health Canada’s website (external link).
Everyday items can pose unexpected risks to young children. Keep balloons and plastic bags out of reach, as they can block a child’s airway. Be aware of any airtight bins or boxes that your child may climb inside and become trapped in, making it difficult to breathe (external link). Consider taking First Aid and CPR (external link). It may save someone you love.
Head injuries
Young children, especially babies and toddlers, have big heads compared to their bodies and are still learning how to balance and move properly. Because of this, they are more likely to fall and hit their heads, which can cause concussions (external link) or other serious injuries.
Protect their heads
- Support your baby's head in the first few months.
- Add padding to sharp corners on furniture and secure heavy items like TVs, furniture and shelves to the wall.
- Use safety gates to prevent falls down the stairs.
- Always make sure your child wears a helmet (external link) when riding a bike, scooter, tricycle, or using skates. Helmets should be approved, fit properly, and be worn every time, even for short rides.
- On the playground, choose equipment that is age-appropriate and has soft ground covering, like rubber or wood chips.
Coping with crying
It’s normal for babies to cry, but it can be very frustrating, especially when it doesn’t stop. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or like you might lose control:
- Place your baby safely in their crib.
- Leave the room for a few minutes to calm yourself.
- Call a friend or family member to come help if you can.
Remember: Never shake a baby. Shaking can cause serious brain injury or death.
Tips to reduce stress and frustration
- Learn to read your baby’s cues and respond before the crying starts.
- Try to go to your baby as soon as they start crying. This may help them calm more easily.
- Ask someone you trust to give you a break when you need rest or time for yourself.
- Talk to someone, like a friend, doctor, or counsellor, about how you’re feeling. You can call 311 to speak with a public health nurse, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m or email haltonparents@halton.ca.
Taking care of yourself helps you take better care of your baby.
Everyone has a role in creating a safer, supervised environment where babies and children can live, learn, play, and travel.