Hygiene and safe water
Clean hands and clean water prevent most infections.
- Wash hands with soap: before food, after the toilet, after nappies.
- Use safe drinking water; boil or treat if unsure.
- Dispose of stool safely and keep the home clean.
- Handwashing is one of the cheapest, most powerful protections.
Preventing common injuries
Most childhood injuries are predictable — and preventable.
- Choking: keep small objects and hard foods away; cut food small.
- Burns & scalds: keep hot liquids, fire, and stoves out of reach.
- Drowning: never leave a child alone near water, even shallow.
- Poisoning & falls: lock away medicines and chemicals; guard heights.
Emotional wellbeing & development
Loving, responsive care builds a healthy mind.
| Do | Why |
|---|
| Talk, sing, and name things together | Builds language and the brain |
| Play and read together every day | Learning and bonding |
| Respond warmly to cries and needs | Builds security and trust |
| Guide behavior calmly, without hitting | Teaches better and protects trust |
| Care for your own wellbeing too | A well parent can care better |
Harsh punishment harms development; calm, consistent guidance works better.
Safe & well terms
- Handwashing: Washing with soap at key times — a top way to prevent infection.
- Safe water: Drinking water that is clean, or boiled/treated and stored covered.
- Injury prevention: Removing hazards to prevent choking, burns, drowning, falls, poisoning.
- Responsive care: Warmly noticing and meeting your child's needs and cues.
- Nurturing care: Health, nutrition, safety, responsive care, and early learning together.
- Positive discipline: Guiding behavior calmly and consistently, without hitting.
Myth or reality?
Tap each statement about safety and wellbeing.
- Handwashing with soap is one of the best ways to prevent illness (Reality) — It cuts diarrhoea and pneumonia — cheap, simple, and powerful.
- A young child can be left alone briefly near water (Myth) — Children can drown quickly and silently, even in shallow water — never leave them alone near it.
- Responding to your baby's cries 'spoils' them (Myth) — You can't spoil a baby with love; responsiveness builds security and trust.
- Play and talk help a child's brain develop (Reality) — Everyday interaction is powerful early learning that builds the brain.
Handwashing with soap can cut diarrhoea by roughly 30–48% — and also reduces pneumonia. It's one of the cheapest, most effective health habits you can build for your family.
Keeps a child safe or a hazard?
Tap each, then whether it keeps the child safe or is a hazard.
- Handwashing with soap (Keeps child safe)
- Safe, covered drinking water (Keeps child safe)
- Supervising near water always (Keeps child safe)
- Medicines within a child's reach (A hazard to fix)
- Hot pot handles turned outward (A hazard to fix)
- Small objects on the floor (A hazard to fix)
A safe-and-well home routine
Small daily habits that add up.
- Wash hands at key times; use safe water.
- Do a quick hazard check: water, fire, medicines, small objects.
- Talk, play, and read with your child every day.
- Keep up visits, vaccines, and watch for danger signs.
Emergencies — act at once
Know these and where to get help fast.
- Choking, drowning, a serious burn, or a bad fall.
- Swallowed medicine, chemical, or poison.
- A danger sign: fast breathing, convulsions, can't drink, very sleepy.
- Any severe injury or a child who is very unwell — seek care now.
You've completed the course
- Prevent infection with handwashing and safe water.
- Prevent injuries and keep a safe home.
- Nurture your child with love, play, and responsive care.
- Revisit any module anytime, and use the local resources page.
