Being a parent is far from easy. You need to keep your kids fed and watered, cleaned and dressed, but you also want them to have fun and play to their heart’s content. And all the while, make sure they are safe! It’s a huge and tiring job.

So, to keep you from worrying and trying to think of everything all at once, we’ve made a list of safety checks to remind you what must be done around the home and in the car to keep your little one safe.

But before we delve in, let’s quickly establish what we mean by safety checks for 2 to 3-year-olds.

What are safety checks?

When we talk about safety checks, we’re referring to a list of measures you, as a caregiver, should be aware of to ensure your child’s safety. Specifically, the measures you must take at home and when travelling in the car.

Why are safety checks so important?

Now that your child is old enough to run and jump, and even have a go at riding a tricycle, the world has become a much more exciting place. But it’s also a potentially dangerous place, especially for a young and curious 2-year-old who wants to explore many new things but doesn’t yet have the self-control to keep themselves safe, or the ability to rescue themselves. For this reason, it’s important that you’re always on hand and that you have a solid idea of any potential dangers.

And so, now that we know what safety checks are and why they’re so important, let’s take a look at how we can ensure our kids stay safe and healthy at home and during car journeys.

How can I use safety checks to keep my 2 - 3-year-old safe?

Make sure to lock any doors that lead outside so your child cannot wander out of the house/flat.

Similarly, lock doors to any dangerous areas – cellars and bathrooms.

Make sure keys are hidden.

Secure windows with guards.

Install gates at the bottom and top of stairs.

Block outlets with furniture or use outlet covers.

Keep electrical cords well out of reach.

Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and make sure they’re working.

Don’t have candles lit within the reach of your child.

Keep medicines in child-resistant containers and keep them high and well out of reach and sight. The same goes for cleaning products – preferably keep them in a locked cabinet.

Ensure that any dangerous items are safely locked or put away. This includes cutlery, batteries, objects that could pose a choking hazard and laundry detergent pods.

Keep your child away from kitchen appliances, irons, radiators and hot water.

Never leave your child alone in the bath or near a body of water.

Supervise your little one whenever they are playing outside and never let them play near cars or garages.

Keep cars locked when not in use so your child can’t get inside.

Use approved and properly installed car seats with a five-point safety harness for every single journey. Keep these seats rear-facing for as long as possible, until your child grows out of them, and never let them sit in the front seat. They must always remain in their seat while the car is in motion.

Never leave your child alone in a car.

What are the safety checks for my 2 - 3-year-old?

Make safety checks for your toddler with Unii’s tips.