Accident producing situations occurring at home which may affect the infant and toddler:

Choking, strangulation, and suffocation- during the oral stage the infant’s primary source
of interaction occurs so the rooting and sucking reflex is especially important to observe the
mouth which is vital for feeding or nutrition. The infant derives pleasure from oral stimulation
through gratifying activities such as tasting and sucking. Infants have a fascination to put objects
in their mouth. Some examples of everyday objects that can be hazardous to your child:

 Small bits and pieces of food, toys- small pieces ex. lego bricks, batteries, bottle caps,
coins, balloons, marbles, pen or marker caps, magnets, buttons, rubber bands, small
barrettes or hair bows, and water beads are choking hazards.

 Jewelry ex. necklaces, long strings on clothes, baby headbands, strings, ties, and ribbons
as well as cords on toys, household appliances, window blinds, and other fixtures could
cause strangulation.

 Improperly fastened safety harnesses in a highchair, stroller or a space between the bed
and wall could allow a baby to slip down and become trapped.

 Cribs with drop rails can trap a baby, large stuffed toys, and blankets, pillows, crib
bumpers, and air mattresses can lead to suffocation.

Falls - some falls and tumbles are inevitable as children learn to stand, walk, run, and
climb which takes place during the toddler and part of the infant stage. Falls are serious and
is the leading cause of nonfatal injuries for children including fractures and sprains, head
injuries, and bruises. Some of the most common places children fall from include:

 Stairs
 Furniture- beds, changing tables, highchairs
 Baby walkers
 Unsecured infant seats
 Play equipment
  Slippery/wet floors
 Windows without proper guards

Drowning- can cause of death for children especially infants and toddlers if left
unsupervised around water including bath tubs, buckets, barrels, pools and even small amounts
of water pose a danger to very young kids. The following precautions to reduce child's risk of
drowning:

 Be cautious with young children around water in toilets, bathtubs, and buckets, barrels,
and ice chests and coolers containing water or ice, pools.
 Make sure hot tubs, spas, whirlpools, and swimming pools are inaccessible to your child.
 Keep your child away from fountains, irrigation ditches, postholes, and wells.
 Supervise your child closely whenever he/she is playing around water and bathing.

Poisoning- every day in the United States, more than 300 children are treated for poisoning
in emergency rooms, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Accidental poisoning
can happen from:

 Swallowing shampoo, aftershave, perfume, cleaning products, hand sanitizer, and liquid
nicotine used in e-cigarettes
 Eating medication or vitamins, if it was not stored properly
 Swallowing of pesticides ex. Rodenticides, herbicides, insecticides
 Exposure to carbon monoxide from gas appliances such as stoves and heaters

Burns- are among the most common childhood accidental injuries, and they can happen
several ways:

 Sunburns can occur if the infant or toddler is in the sun for a long period of time and may
not be clothed properly, if umbrella is not used, if sunscreen lotion is not applied for
toddlers for example on the beach,
  Electrical burns and shock from inserting fingers or objects into outlets or biting
electrical cords

 Flames from stoves, lamps, matches, lit cigarettes, fireplaces, and house fires

 Touching hot surfaces, such as stoves, heaters, and microwaved containers

 Hot liquid such as bottle feed that might be given too hot, steam from pans, cups, hot
water heaters, and bath water

Car safety- collisions aren't the only thing to worry about when it comes to cars. Parents or
caretakers should ensure that infant and toddler is always placed in a car seat when in the
vechile. Other dangers include:

 An incorrectly sized or improperly installed car seat (or not using a car seat at all)
 Heatstroke from leaving a child in a closed car
 Entrapment in power windows or car trunks
 Getting accidentally run over
 Ensure safety locks are working to prevent child from opening doors while the vehicle is
moving

Bites from animals and insects- most pets don't bite savagely enough to cause a serious
injury but it can occur and in some cases infant or toddler may be eaten to death. Animals and
insects that may cause harm include dogs (Pit Bull, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, etc.), cats,
rodents, ticks, mosquitos, bees, ants, fleas. Some animal and insect bites can cause infection,
rabies, and allergic reactions.