How can you prevent accidents from happening to your toddler? This is one question that parents will need to ask themselves and also proactively preventing them from happening. Here are some safety tips that help serve as guidelines for parents with young kids.

1) Water Safety

- Never leave your toddler alone in the bath tub or pond, even for a few seconds

- Empty the paddling pool immediately after using it.

- Cover any pond or water feature at home or garden with a wire mesh

- Check that your toddler cannot get into your neighbours' garden

- Check pails and anything that can collect/contain water. Keep them away or turn them upside down.

2) Meal Time Safety

- Always supervise your toddler duing meal times

- Ensure that the high chair is stable and your child does not fall out and choke

- Always be careful with certain food like fish (remove the bones), carrots (make sure it well chopped), uncooked peas, celery, etc...

- Never allow toddler to run around with food still in his mouth

- Be careful of small toy parts abd only let toddler play with toys suitable for his age.

- Avoid baby walkers that can move too fast and cause serious falls. Always have an adult keeping an eye on the baby in the walker.

- Keep small objects like small coins, batteries and buttons out of reach from your child.

- Ensure that his toys are non-toxic and is appropriate for his age.

- Be careful with balloons, especially when your toddler is playing with an uninflated balloon. Always throw away burst balloons. Balloon latex is very difficult to be removed from a child's throat.

3) Home Safety

- Fit gates at the top and bottom of stairs until your child can climb up and down safely on his own.

- Secure carpets and rugs to the floor so that they don't slip.

- Consider corner cushions for the corner of your tables

- Check balcony railings to make sure that they are stable and that children cannot climb on them or fall through the gaps.

- Keep furniture away from windows.

- Encourage your toddler to put away his toys when not in use.

- Put a non slip mat in your bath room

- Fit electric outlets with protective covers

- Keep wire cords coiled or use short cards so that your child is less likely to grab them.

4) Road Safety

- Always hold your child's hand tightly when crossing the road

- Do not let him run ahead as cars coming out of driveways will not be able to see him

- Make sure that he walks on the side of the pavement that is away from the traffic

- Teach her "stop" and "go" so that he can act quickly to your instructions.

Most children survive their toddler years with bumps and bruises. As they get older, you can help them develop their sense of personal safety by letting them try things on their own, under your guidance. Remember that your will need to repeat information as children tend to have short memories.