Child safety is a major concern for any parent. Injuries are the leading cause of death in children from age one to 14, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Nearly 70 percent of these fatalities occur in children under age four.

Most of these deaths could be prevented with proper precautions. Parents can begin to provide a safe environment for their child even before birth. Doorknob covers should be installed, cabinets secured and safety locks placed on toilets, dishwashers, ovens and stoves. Window guards should be installed on all windows above the first floor.

Parents should exercise care in selecting toys, cribs, changing tables, playpens and strollers. By the time babies are between three months and five months old, they begin to wave their fists and grab at things. They also begin to put many things into their mouths. As a result, parents need to take several additional steps to ensure that the child does not accidentally choke or become burned, poisoned, cut or strangled.

After children turn six months old, their pace of activity picks up dramatically as they begin to roll over, sit up, crawl and stand. Children of this age grab onto anything they can to boost and steady themselves. As children progress through the first two years of life, they develop a love for playing in water, raising the danger of drowning. Firearms also begin to pose a greater hazard when children reach this age. Handguns are frequently a source of dangerous accidents.

Between the ages of three and five years, children begin to explore the world outside the home in greater detail. Children are at greater risks for injuries such as falls from playground equipment or tumbling from a bicycle or tricycle. Wearing the right protection – such as helmets – can reduce the risk of injury. As children grow and begin eating more adult foods, they should be encouraged to chew their food thoroughly to avoid choking.

By age six, children display increasing independence and begin to try to prove their maturity. Parents can take advantage of these developments by allowing their children to have a more active role in implementing safety measures in their lives.

Between the ages of eight and 10, children become much more independent and look to peers for approval. They may even begin to rebel against the rules established by parents and to engage in more daring behavior. Parents are urged to show that they remain in control of setting the child’s boundaries. They also should continue to insist on safety precautions as the child’s activities evolve – such as wearing the proper equipment when participating in various sports.