Health and Safety, Ages 2 to 5 Years

Safety Measures Outside the Home

You can’t protect your child from every danger that he or she can possibly encounter outside the home. But you can equip your child with some basic safety rules and precautions. Let your child’s natural surroundings give you ideas for general training to help prepare your child for a variety of situations he or she may face.

To help avoid injuries and unsafe situations outside the home, establish and review basic rules before outings. Reinforce the rules often. And let other caregivers know about them.

Basic safety precautions

• Help your child be safe in and around motor vehicles. Teach your child basic rules about the dangers of streets, cars, and other vehicles.
• Help prevent child abduction. Teach children to be cautious of strangers, and teach them how to react when they feel they are threatened. Remember that most children who are abducted aren’t taken by strangers but rather by a parent, a relative, a family friend, or an acquaintance.
• Protect your child from too much sun or heat when outdoors. If your child will be outside from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., have your child stay in the shade or cover up with a hat and clothing and wear UV-blocking sunglasses. Put broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) on any exposed skin, even when it’s cloudy. Watch for heat exhaustion. Don’t keep your child out in warm weather for long periods. For more information, see Sunburn and Heat-Related Illnesses.
• Help your child prevent insect stings and spider bites. Use insect repellents, and have your child wear closed shoes, socks, and clothes that fully cover his or her body when outdoors. For more information, see Insect Bites and Stings and Spider Bites.
• Keep your child safe on the playground. Make sure all play equipment is safe, in good repair, and appropriate for your child’s age. Closely supervise all young children while they are playing on any equipment.

Before your child visits an unfamiliar home, ask whether you need to be aware of any dangerous areas, weapons in the home, pets, or other safety issues. Also, it is always a good idea to see the household for yourself. Don’t be afraid to voice any concerns you have about safety. You are ultimately responsible for protecting your child.

Choosing child care

Before enrolling your child in daycare, evaluate the environment and talk with the care providers. Ask questions about their safety guidelines. Identify any hazards, and ask how they are handled. For more information, see the topic Choosing Child Care.

Going along for the ride: Exercising caution

Many parents and caregivers want to share their favourite activities with their young children. This can help build common interests and appreciation for exercise and other pursuits. Be sure, though, to recognize the safety issues related to these activities. Remember that your child’s comfort and safety are most important.

• For every ride in a car, secure your child into a properly installed car seat or booster seat that meets all current safety standards. Use a car seat or booster seat that is made for their weight and height. For questions about car seats and booster seats, call Transport Canada at 1-800-333-0371 or visit the Government of Canada Child Safety webpage at http://www.canada.ca/en/services/transport/road/child-car-seat-safety.html.
• Never leave your child alone in a car. Heat inside the car and other factors could cause long-lasting injury—or death—in a matter of minutes. Keeping the car windows down won’t protect your child in hot or warm weather. Other injuries could also occur from a child getting stuck in the trunk or setting the car in motion.
• Keep your child safe in strollers and carts. Use the safety straps, and follow the printed instructions. It’s safest not to put children in shopping carts at all.
• Use extra caution when riding bikes and tricycles. Make sure that you and your child always wear helmets and practice safe riding habits, such as avoiding busy streets. Bike only during daylight hours.
• If your child rides a scooter, watch him or her at all times. Don’t let your child ride near traffic. And have your child wear a helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads. Wait until your child is a little older before you teach skateboard safety. It’s not safe for children younger than 5 to use skateboards.
• Monitor air pollution before outdoor activities. Children’s lungs are especially sensitive to pollution. You can check your newspaper or local weather station for details about air pollution levels.