Many of us are well aware that fire can be dangerous. Unfortunately most toddlers do not yet share in this awareness. We would rather not have our toddlers learn about the dangers of fire first hand, so here are some things we can do to keep our toddlers safe.

 

Teach your toddler about fire safety
It is important to talk to your toddler about the dangers of fire. You can put it in very simple words, but it is important to at least let them know that fire is “hot” and can cause pain. I tend to speak to my toddlers in a little more of real terms and tell them that fire can burn them and hurt them for a very long time.

 

Protect your toddler from obvious dangers in the home
It is important to put all source of flame such as lighters and matches out of a toddler’s reach. We keep all of our matches locked in the cabinet above the stove. It is not enough to rely on “always watching” your toddler. You need to make sure there is no opportunity for an accident with lighters or matches because even the most diligent parent can be distracted from time to time. Another obvious danger is the kitchen stove. If you have a toddler in the house you should always have stove safety covers on your kitchen stove dials. Also, make sure each room in the house has a smoke detector installed with fresh batteries. Batteries should be changed in smoke detectors every 6 months. In addition, each floor of your home should have a carbon monoxide detector.

 

Protect your toddler from fire outside the home
Ideally, you should keep your toddler away from all sources of fire outside the home. Campfires, grills and personal fireworks can all be dangerous. If you are like me you do not want to totally shelter your toddler from experiencing life. This calls for some common sense when toddlers are around potentially dangerous fires. Keep your toddler at a distance from campfires or grills. Do not under any circumstances allow your toddler to play with or hold fireworks – even “sparklers”.