What to Expect the Toddler Years (238 page)

If your car has power windows, do not allow young children to control them (control them yourself from the driver’s seat, keeping them locked, if possible). And never reach for the button without first checking to be sure no one is leaning out, and no hand, finger, or other body part is in the way.

Do not permit the use of pens, pencils, or other sharp objects in a moving car or any other vehicle, and prohibit play with toys or other objects that can block the driver’s vision—a balloon, for example. And don’t leave loose objects on the ledge below the rear window or in the back of a station wagon; they can go flying forward in a short stop.

Don’t try to argue with or discipline a child while you’re driving; if you’re distracted by the behavior, pull over, then deal with it.

Never allow your child to play behind a parked car or near a car that is not locked.

If you take a pet along in a station wagon, have it ride in the back, and put up a removable metal partition so that the animal will not be thrown into passengers on a short stop. Or use an animal restraint system, now available.

Never let your child ride in the back of a pickup truck, whether it’s open or enclosed. Children can be injured during such an unprotected ride even with just a short stop. The jump seat of an extended pickup is not as safe as a regular auto seat, but is certainly better than riding in the cargo area. Check with the manufacturer on safety features (ask, for example, where would a child’s head impact in a crash? Will seat belts hold a car seat?) before letting your child ride in a jump seat and before buying a pickup.

Pets can bring a lot of pleasure to a family, but they also come with responsibilities—as well as some risks. To make sure you’re maximizing the pleasure, be certain to minimize the risks:

If you’re getting a new pet, be sure it’s healthy; have it checked by a veterinarian before making your selection final.

Be as careful about your pet’s preventive care as you are about your child’s. Be sure the pet gets all necessary immunizations (for dogs, and in high rabies areas, cats and some other pets, a rabies vaccination is a must) and treatment for worms and fleas (in dogs, cats, and other pets) according to the schedule recommended by the vet.

Wash your hands—and teach your toddler to do so—after playing with or cleaning up after a pet. If your pet contracts a disease that can be transmitted to humans, ask the vet about any special precautions that should be taken to prevent spread.

Do not allow children to touch animal feces. Especially if the stool is loose, it could contain, among other germs, the
Campylobacter
bacterium, associated with severe gastrointestinal infection.

Never allow children to eat pet hair. Some kids get into the habit of pulling out dog hair, for example, and munching on it. A hair ball, or bezoar, can form in the child’s stomach; having a bezoar removed can be a very unpleasant experience.

Toys are a fundamental part of every toddler’s life. But if they aren’t carefully chosen, they can become a threat. So as you wander through a toy emporium, overcome at the available games and gadgets, consider not only whether the toys you select will be fun and educational, but also whether they will be safe. (For information on recalls of toys and on toys with a history of safety problems, call the Consumer Product Safety Commission hotline: (800) 638-2772; or log on to their website: cpsc.gov.)