Toddlers are a delight to watch play and grow but these tiny tots may end up taking more trips to the pediatrician than babies or older children. This is because toddlers can walk, climb, explore, and make executive decisions all on their own but they don't have developed reasoning skills. A toddler-aged child may be curious about the flames that come up off the stove and stick his or her hand into the fire not understanding that it represents danger. Toddlers are also prone to explore new things by instinctively putting them into their mouths, leaving them prone to accidental poisoning. Use these four safety precautions to make fewer emergency phone call and appointments with the pediatrician treating your child.

1. Do Not Leave Your Child Unattended For Long - You may know your home extraordinarily well and believe that your toddler can be left to play in common areas without adult supervision. What you need to consider is that your child sees things from a totally different and unique perspective. Small objects that you may not see on the ground can be enticing to a toddler aged child and represent serious danger if he or she becomes too curious without an adult around to intercede. Parents would prefer to call their children's pediatricians only when necessary and not because of repeated emergencies.

2. Give Your Toddler Age Appropriate Toys - If you give things to your child to play with, your child will not be bored as often. In addition to parental supervision, toddlers require stimulation. Age appropriate toys for toddlers will keep all of their senses stimulated through sound, touch and texture. You can talk to a pediatrician about recommended toys for toddlers as well as activities that will keep your child well occupied.

3. Educate Your Toddler On Danger - Whether you want your toddler to avoid crossing the street unsupervised or answering the door without the assistance of an adult, educational lessons should be given as needed. There are many different children's shows and cartoons that your pediatrician will be familiar with that can help you to explain various safety lessons to your toddler about being wary of strangers, staying away from stoves, grills and fire, and staying safe while playing in swimming pools.

4. Give Rewards For Safe Behaviors - When your toddler points out dangers make sure that you have some type of reward that you can give to your child promptly. As your child learns and grows you have to be there to praise and support positive behaviors as they will instill better instincts. Pediatricians advise parents to use positive words and to create reward systems that help their children to understand dangers as well as meet behavioral milestones.

If you're curious about how to help your toddler with these risks, you can learn more here.

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