Complementary Medicine
Tell all your child’s providers about any complementary health approaches (naturopathy, chiropractic, homeopathy, etc.) your child uses. Each provider should be aware of everything you to do to manage your child’s health. This will help you get the best and safest care for your child.
Be careful when choosing vitamins and herbal supplements. They don’t go through the same testing as medicines do before going to market and are not tested for safety or effectiveness in children. Your child may react differently than an adult would to these products.
For information on talking to your health care provider visit www.bit.ly/2Vs44PQ.
Lock Up Guns
All children, even toddlers, are in danger if they play with guns. If you have guns at home, unload them. Store them in a gun safe or lock box. Lock up bullets separately. Keep keys where children cannot get them. Find out if your child's other caregivers own guns. Make sure they are stored safely.
For more information on safe gun storage visit www.lokitup.org.
Keep Matches and Lighters Out of Reach
Young children are curious about fire. Children as young as age two can start fires and hurt themselves if they play with matches and lighters. If you have lighters and matches at home, keep them out of your child's reach and out of sight. Remember that even though you tell your child to stay away from stoves, fireplaces, and barbeques, you need to watch to make sure he or she does.
Start the Helmet Habit Early
Help your child get in the habit of wearing a helmet whenever he or she uses a toy with wheels or rides on the back of your bicycle. If you ride a bike, wear your helmet, too. Remember, your child learns from watching you.
Closely Watch Your Child In and Around Water
Children can drown in as little as two inches of water. They can slip away and go underwater quickly and quietly. An adult must always be within an arm’s length whenever a toddler is in or around water. Talk with your provider about whether your child is ready for swimming lessons. But remember, even if your child has been in a water skills class, he or she can still drown.
Always stay with your child whenever he or she is in the bathroom or taking a bath. Empty the wading (kiddie) pool when you’re not using it, keep garbage cans covered, and put fences around pools, hot tubs, and ponds. If a gate is needed, it should be self-closing and self-latching.
Make sure your child wears a life jacket when playing in or near the water, on a dock, or in a boat, raft, or inner tube. Set a good example and wear a life jacket yourself.
Swim where there is a lifeguard on duty whenever you can. Learn child CPR. Call your local fire station for classes.
For more information on water safety visit the Washington State Drowning Prevention Project.