A nurse is providing safety-related anticipatory guidance to parents of a toddler. Which of the following statements should the nurse use to educate the parents on safety during this stage?
Explanation & Rationale
A. "Children break the most bones during their toddler years due to falls. Toddlers should wear a helmet to protect their head in case of a fall.": While falls are common, helmets are typically recommended for activities such as riding tricycles or bikes, not for general fall prevention, so this does not address the leading cause of injury-related death in toddlers. B. "Stairs are a leading cause of injury related death in toddlers. Children should not be permitted on stairs until they are 4 years old.": Stairs can cause injuries, but they are not the leading cause of death, and restricting stair access entirely until age 4 is not practical; safety gates are the standard preventive measure. C. "The leading cause of death related to injury during toddlerhood is drowning. Children can drown in small amounts of water such as bathtubs, toilets, and buckets.": This statement accurately identifies drowning as the leading cause of injury-related death in toddlers and emphasizes the importance of constant supervision and water safety even with small amounts of water. D. "Cleaning products and medications should be placed in a cabinet so children can't get access to them.": While this is important for poisoning prevention, it addresses safety hazards rather than the leading cause of death, making it secondary in priority to drowning prevention.