Like babies, little kids are curious about the things around them and will touch, taste and smell just about anything. That’s the way they learn. But this is an area where parents have to be diligent, because swallowing the wrong thing can cause serious injury. Here are some ways to make home and play areas safer.

Top Safety Tips

1. Keep small objects such as buttons, beads, jewelry, pins, nails, marbles, coins, stones and tacks out of reach and sight.
2. Cut food for toddlers into tiny pieces. Children under 5 should not eat small, round or hard foods, including pieces of hot dogs, cheese sticks or chunks, hard candy, nuts, grapes, marshmallows or popcorn.
3. Consider your child’s age when purchasing a toy or game. It’s worth a second to read the instructions and warning labels to make sure it’s just right for your child.
4. Before you’ve settled on the perfect toy, check to make sure there aren’t any small parts or other potential choking hazards.

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