4-6 Years: Preschooler Safety Guide

Flat irons, curling irons, and clothing irons can remain hot enough to cause severe burns for 10-15 minutes after being turned off. Preschoolers often want to imitate parents' grooming routines and may grab these items when adults aren't looking. Burns to hands and faces from these tools commonly require emergency treatment.

Open flames from candles attract preschoolers' curiosity and clothing or hair can easily catch fire. Essential oil diffusers contain concentrated oils that can be toxic if ingested and may cause chemical burns. Children may knock over candles or diffusers while playing, starting fires or spilling hot wax.

Window covering cords pose a hidden strangulation hazard as children playing near windows can become entangled in loops or continuous cord systems. On average, about nine children under 5 years of age die every year from strangling in window blinds, shades, draperies and other window coverings with cords, and strangulation can occur in seconds without making noise. Older blinds with accessible cords should be assessed for replacement or cord management solutions. (CPSC Window Covering Safety)

E-cigarette liquid nicotine is highly toxic, and even small amounts can cause nicotine poisoning in children. The devices often have flavors appealing to children, and the colorful liquid can be mistaken for candy or juice. Nicotine exposure can cause vomiting, seizures, breathing difficulties, and potentially death in young children.

Treadmills, weight machines, and ellipticals have moving parts that can trap fingers, hair, or clothing, causing severe injuries including amputations. Children are curious about equipment they see adults using and may climb on it or activate it while unsupervised. Treadmill belt friction burns are particularly severe and often require skin grafts.

Small high-powered magnets found in toys, building sets, and desk items can cause life-threatening injuries if swallowed. If a child swallows multiple magnets or a magnet and a metal object, they can attract through intestinal walls, cutting off blood supply and creating holes in the digestive tract. Surgery is often required, and these injuries can be fatal.

Thin plastic bags can conform to a child's face, blocking airways and causing suffocation within minutes. Children playing with bags or placing them over their heads cannot always remove them quickly enough. The material clings to the nose and mouth, preventing breathing even when the child's face is not covered.

Long strings, ribbons, and cords on toys or decorations can wrap around a child's neck during play or sleep. Strangulation can occur quickly and silently, and children cannot always untangle themselves. Toys with pull strings longer than 12 inches are a potential strangulation risk.

Children may mistake alcoholic beverages for juice or soda, and even small amounts of alcohol can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar in young children. Hand sanitizer, mouthwash, and vanilla extract also contain amounts of alcohol. Alcohol poisoning in children can cause seizures, coma, and death.

Preschoolers are tall enough to reach countertops and are curious about kitchen activities, making accessible knife blocks dangerous. Children this age lack the judgment to understand how sharp knives can be and may pick them up by the blade. Even small cuts from kitchen knives can require stitches or cause nerve damage.

Garden chemicals can be fatal if ingested, and children may eat treated grass or plants, or contact treated grass and touch their face. Skin contact with concentrated products can cause chemical burns, and inhalation can cause respiratory problems. Products may remain toxic even after application instructions suggest it's safe for re-entry.

Inadequate spacing between swings causes collision injuries when multiple children play, and improperly anchored swing sets can tip over. Swing seats should be at least 24 inches apart, and equipment should be anchored in concrete or with ground anchors. S-hooks must be completely closed to prevent fingers or clothing from catching.

Any water deeper than 2 inches poses a drowning risk, and decorative ponds often have slippery edges and steep sides making it difficult for children to climb out. Children can fall into ponds while playing nearby or investigating fish and plants. Mosquito breeding in standing water can also pose health risks. The local mosquito abatement district may provide mosquito fish or other biological controls to prevent breeding in standing water.

Children should remain in forward-facing harness car seats until they reach the seat's maximum weight or height limit (typically 65 pounds). Transitioning to booster seats too early means the vehicle seat belt won't fit properly, allowing the child to slide under the lap belt (submarining) during a crash. This can cause severe internal injuries or ejection from the vehicle.