Dr. M.J. Bazos, MD, Patient Handout
15 Month Old Anticipatory Guidance

• Use a toddler car seat and make sure it is properly secured each time it is used.
• Test the water temperature with your wrist to make sure it is not too hot before bathing the toddler.
• Supervise the toddler constantly whenever he is in or around water, buckets, the toilet, or the bathtub. Young siblings should not be left alone to supervise a toddler (e.g. in the bathtub or in the house). Empty buckets, tubs, or small pools immediately after use. Ensure that swimming pools have a four-sided fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate.
• Put sunscreen on the toddler before he goes outside to play. Sunscreen lotions should contain at least a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15.
• Keep the toddler's environment free of smoke. Keep the home and car nonsmoking zones.
• Do not leave heavy objects or containers of hot liquids on tables with tablecloths that the toddler may pull down.
• Turn pan handles toward the back of the stove. Keep the toddler away from hot stoves, fireplaces, irons, curling irons, and space heaters. Ensure that electric wires, outlets, and appliances are inaccessible or protected.
• Exclude poisons, medications, and toxic household products from the home or keep them in locked cabinets. Have safety caps on all medications. Keep Syrup of Ipecac in the home to be used as directed by the poison control center or the health professional. Keep the number of the poison control center near the telephone.
• Keep cigarettes, lighters, matches, and alcohol out of the toddler's sight and reach.
• Do not give the toddler plastic bags, latex balloons, or small objects such as marbles.
• Never underestimate the ability of a 15 month old to climb. Some children may climb out of the crib at this age. Ensure that the crib mattress is on the lowest rung.
• Use gates at the top and bottom of stairs and safety devices on windows. Supervise the toddler closely when he is on stairs. Confine the toddler's outside play to areas within fences and gates, especially at a child care facility, unless he is under close supervision.
• Keep the toddler away from moving machinery, lawn mowers, overhead garage doors, driveways, and streets.
• Ensure that a toddler riding in a seat on an adult's bicycle is wearing a helmet. Wear a helmet yourself.
• Teach the child to use caution when approaching dogs, especially if the dogs are unknown or eating.
• Choose caregivers carefully. Discuss with them their attitudes about and behavior in relation to discipline. Prohibit corporal punishment.