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Five Important Safety Issues to Teach Preschoolers

Preschool children generally do not have a clear sense of what might be a danger to them. They are still learning about their surroundings, so it is important to teach them a set of general guidelines that will help protect them throughout the day. Be sure to cover the most common dangers faced by preschoolers, but since each child's life is different, tweak the instructions to fit the child.

  1. Fire Safety

    • Children are naturally curious, and this can lead to the possibility of being burned by common household items. Preschoolers in particular should be taught to stay away from ovens and stoves while they are being used. They should never touch matches, lighters or candles. If they find them, they should ask an adult to move them. They should also keep a safe distance from fireplaces and other open flames.

    Stranger Safety

    • Preschoolers often do not understand the motivations of others, so it might be easy for a person with bad intentions to trick them into participating in a dangerous situation. Teach the children their full names and addresses and make sure they stay within your view while on a playground or a city street. Warn them not to talk with strangers and to never help a stranger without asking a parent or guardian.

    Traffic Safety

    • Learning to cross the street safely is a lesson that every preschooler should understand. They should know how to use a crosswalk and a crosswalk button as well as the role of the crossing guard. They should be familiar with the meaning of traffic lights and "walk/don't walk" flashers. They should also know the basic rules of crossing a street that does not have a traffic light, including the need to look both ways before crossing.

    Water Safety

    • In a 2004 report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified drowning as the second leading cause of injury-related death among children between the ages of 4 and 11. Preschoolers should take swimming lessons as soon as they are capable of taking them. Teach them never to enter a pool or body of water unless they have parental supervision and unless they are wearing a floatie or other type of life vest. They should also be carefully watched during baths, since that is when many preschool water-related deaths occur.

    Call 911

    • Teach the preschoolers how to use 911. Be clear that it is for use only in an emergency, but also explain some of the situations when they may need to call 911. These skills can come in handy in a variety of situations, from a home fire to an injured sibling or parent.

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