Pre-school | Safety

After the age of 3, your child wants to spend at least part of the time on his own two feet. Now that he’s 4, he’ll want to be even more mobile as he develops into an explorer on family outings.
Read Staying Safe While Enjoying the Great Outdoors

My 3-year-old won't stay in his car seat. He always manages to get out. Every morning we have a big fight when it's time to go to nursery and I have to get to work. This is making me crazy. Help!
Read How can I make my 3-year-old stay in his car seat?

My son is 19 months old and climbs the stairs fairly well. We have an open staircase - one false move and he could be on the basement stairs. It's dangerous, but I hate to discourage him from climbing stairs, since our house has three levels. Is there a device made to protect children from falling through the stairs?
Read Is there a device to protect babies from falling through the stairs?

You and your family are most at risk of accidents between 4pm and 8pm. Simple strategies, like taking a short walk or relaxation break before collecting your children from school, can limit the likelihood of accidents.
Read Avoid Accident Flashpoints

Pools, lakes, oceans, and water parks can be lots of fun for families. But having fun safely is possible only when parents are alert to potential dangers—and that means paying constant attention to your children when they are in or around water.
Read How to Keep the Kids Safe in the Water

Simple rules for avoiding stranger dangers can help keep your children safe in public places. Of course, their well-being is paramount but it's important to strike the right balance between ensuring your children's safety and being over-protective.
Read Safety First On Family Outings

We are going to paint the rooms in our house and I have a 1-year-old and a 2-month-old baby. Isn't the paint smell dangerous for them?
Read Will the smell of paint harm my 1-year-old and 2-month-old?

My husband's childless stepmother has been "infatuated" (her word) with my 6-year-old "Jane" since Jane's birth. She regularly gives lots of gifts to Jane, but none to my 5-year-old. She tells Jane, "Uh-oh, here comes mummy!" "Do you want me to rescue you from your mummy?" She once yanked Jane out of my arms and ran off into the woods. Another time, she flung Jane 15 feet across the floor. (Both times she was angry at me.) She's invited herself to our house about every other weekend for four years. We've talked to her many times. Nothing changes. What should I do?
Read My mother-in-law is obsessed with my daughter -- what should I do?

My 3-year-old has become an escape artist. He wakes up early in the morning before anyone is up and tries to get out of the house. During the day, every chance he gets, he sneaks out of the back door or out of his window, which we no longer leave open, and goes off down the road. He always heads towards the park and says he is going for a walk. I cannot express the fear you feel when all of a sudden you cannot find your child. Why does he do this, and what can we say in order to get through to him that this is not OK?
Read My 3-year-old is an escape artist. How can I stop this?

My 18-month-old daughter became very insecure after we went on a trip to York. She cries when I leave the room and when I go to the toilet, even if she is with my husband. Sometimes she cries if I hold her and if my husband leaves the room. She keeps saying, "I want Dad" or "I want Mum". Is this behaviour normal?
Read Is it okay for an 18-month-old to feel insecure after taking a trip?

My daughter is 22 months old. She's afraid to be near my sister's Labrador retriever. If you put the dog in another room, though, she cries and asks for the dog. How do we help her overcome her fears?
Read My 22-month-old is afraid of dogs -- how can we help her?

The specifics of keeping your baby safe change as they develop.
Read Keeping your baby safe