Spring is certainly a time to enjoy the warmer weather!

Unfortunately, there are several dangers which pose a risk to small children at this time of year. The good news is that many of these risks are very preventable by following a few tips and being ever vigilant about our children's safety.

Please remember when you open windows for fresh air and start to spend more time outside, curious toddlers can get into trouble. Window falls are one of the biggest risks for children. Safe Kids Worldwide estimates 4,700 children ages 14 and under are treated annually in hospital emergency departments for injuries sustained from falling out of windows. Before you open your windows, we recommend the following tips:

· Do not rely on screens to protect your children from falling out of the window.

· For double hung windows, simply open windows from the top.

· Move chairs, step stools and other furniture away from windows.

· Consider installing window guards on windows (but still allow for emergency fire exit).

· Window stops can be placed in many windows which only allow the window to be opened a few inches (some vinyl windows have built-in window stops).

Another spring safety concern involves your yard. Do not forget to safely store all your potentially poisonous weed killers, fertilizers and unsafe yard tools (shears, lawn mower blades, etc). Store these above your child's reach (or in locked sheds) and ideally out of their sight. You should learn the names of your outdoor plants and post the telephone number of the nationwide Poison Center (800-222-1222) near your telephones. If you do not know what these plants are, most lawn & garden centers can tell you if you bring them a sample to identify. Never use lawn mowers and other power equipment around children because projectiles (rocks, twigs and debris) can cause serious injuries.

Here are several other key spring safety tips:

EXIT DOORS: Curious toddlers may unlock a door or drag a chair to reach a door lock. Keep windows and doors locked. Set alarm systems so that doors and windows chime when opened. Add higher locks (that still allow for adult fire exit) as a preventative measure.

WATER SAFETY: Children can drown in just a few inches of water. Watch for cleaning buckets while you are washing the car or cleaning. Find out if your neighbors have a pool. Many drownings occur when a parent thinks that the other parent is watching the children.

PLAYGROUNDS: Older wooden decks or playgrounds cause splinters. Do not allow siblings to slide together on sliding boards and do not slide with a child. Little legs can get stuck on the slide and the force of an adult or older child moving behind the child can break a leg. Install proper padding under your playsets (about 9-12 inches of wood chips or mulch; dirt and grass are simply not enough).

MOST IMPORTANTLY, PLEASE MAKE SURE TO HAVE FUN!