Child safety, over 1 year old
Barnsäkerhet över 1 år

You can attach bookshelves to walls using a wall anchor so the child does not risk being injured by a falling shelf.

To prevent fall-related injuries:

• keep windows or doors leading to balconies locked or equip them with a catch so the child cannot open them
• use a harness in the pram for as long as the child needs to
• only use baby-walkers with a stair protector that prevents the walker from tipping over the edge of a flight of stairs
• attach high chairs to the table with special anchors
• use gates at the top and bottom of the stairs
• attach heavy items of furniture to the wall using wall anchors
• use a non-slip safety mat in the bath
• lower the bottom of the baby cot before the child starts to stand up.

To prevent burns:

• store matches and lighters out of reach of the child
• teach the child not to touch the hot water tap
• use a hob guard on the cooker
• be careful with pans with hot contents so that the child is not injured
• protect the child from strong sunlight by letting it spend as much time in the shade as possible or use a sun hat and protective clothes
• avoid tablecloths that hang down from the table and are tempting for child to pull
• do not use radiators that are hotter than 60 degrees.

To avoid suffocation:

• tidy away any small objects that could get stuck in the child's throat
• make sure that the child cannot access plastic bags
• ensure that the child eats sitting down
• store nuts out of the child's reach
• regularly pull the rubber teats on dummies to make sure they are not torn.

There is a special "small object cylinder" that can be helpful when assessing whether an object is too small for the child and poses a choking hazard. The cylinder is available from child welfare centres or from consumer guides.

To protect hearing

• avoid loud volume, for example make sure that the child cannot reach the volume button on the stereo or is subjected to sudden, loud noises
• make sure that toys do not make loud, shrill noises – try them before you buy them.

To avoid poisoning:

• store chemicals and medicines out of the child's reach, for example in a locked medicine cabinet
• make sure that the child cannot access cigarettes or snuff
• check that none of your house plants are poisonous.

To minimise the risk of kitchen accidents:

• store sharp objects out of reach of the child, for example in child-proof cupboard or drawers
• store dishwasher powder and chemicals out of reach of the child
• use a hob guard and make sure that the anti-tilt chain is installed properly
• use a lock on the oven door and an oven protector if the door gets hotter than 60 degrees
• pull out the plugs on electrical appliances when not in use.

To reduce the risk of electrical accidents, make sure that:

• all power sockets have socket covers
• leads, appliances and lamps are not damaged
• the child cannot access hanging electrical cords
• make sure that an earth fault breaker is installed by an authorised electrician.

To reduce the risk of water-related accidents:

• always stay with the child when it is taking a bath or playing near water to avoid drowning accidents
• remember that large puddles, water-filled ditches, bird baths and small ponds can also pose a drowning hazard for a small child
• empty small paddling pools when not in use
• ensure that the child wears a life jacket, of the right size and for the appropriate weight

There are rules for how swimming pools and other kinds of pools must be covered or enclosed to prevent accidents. According to the Swedish Consumer Agency, swimming pools, pools, shallow ponds and garden ponds should be enclosed and have child-proof locks.

To reduce risks when driving or cycling:

• use an approved child car seat that is installed facing backwards
• from age four to five, use a booster seat or booster cushion
• check that there are no loose objects that could be thrown around the car if you have to brake hard
• use bike helmets, child seats and spoke guards if you take your child on your bike
• do not let your child ride a two-wheeled bike until he or she is five years old. The child is not mature enough until then. If you use training wheels the child can achieve speeds that it cannot control, which is a significant accident hazard
• make sure that children up to seven years old use a bicycle helmet with a green chin strap that opens when subjected to a certain load. In Sweden the law stipulates that children under 15 must wear a helmet when they ride a bike
• use reflectors
• practise how to behave in traffic

It is good if the child can use a rearward-facing child car seat for as long as possible. The child has grown out of the seat when the seat back is level with the top of the child's ears, or when the seat's recommended user weight has been exceeded.

To prevent other accidents

To prevent other accidents you can regularly check the child's equipment and toys, for example the brakes on the pram and the rubber teats on dummies.

Passive smoking

Passive smoking exposes the child to health risks. If you cannot stop smoking completely, change your smoking habits and stop smoking at home. A completely smoke-free environment is best for the child.