Open the app

Safety, risk and independence: 12 decisions to make together

How much risk is okay, from baby-proofing and car seats to guns and walking to school alone.

  1. 1. Overall risk philosophy

    How much risk you will accept in everyday childhood, from keeping children as safe as possible to letting them take supervised or free-ranging risks.

    4 options · Experts disagree · Toddler

  2. 2. Baby-proofing

    How thoroughly you childproof the home: gates, locks and anchors everywhere, only the most dangerous hazards, or minimal changes with teaching and watching.

    3 options · Your call · 0–6 months

  3. 3. Car seats

    How long a child stays in each type of car seat, including rear-facing as long as possible versus switching at the legal minimum.

    3 options · Well established · During pregnancy

  4. 4. Water safety

    How you teach water safety and swimming: lessons from a young age, infant survival-swim programs, or lessons later with fencing and supervision.

    3 options · Well established · 6–12 months

  5. 5. Helmets

    When your child wears a helmet for biking, scooting and snow sports, and whether you wear one too.

    3 options · Well established · Toddler

  6. 6. Trampolines

    Whether you allow home trampolines and under what rules, such as nets, one jumper at a time, and supervision.

    3 options · Experts disagree · Preschool

  7. 7. Firearms

    Whether there are guns in your home and how they are stored, and whether you ask about guns in other homes before playdates.

    3 options · Well established · During pregnancy

  8. 8. Contact and collision sports

    Whether your child plays sports with tackling or collisions, and at what age, such as football, hockey or soccer heading.

    3 options · Experts disagree · School age

  9. 9. Independence milestones (playing outside, walking to school, home alone, transit)

    When your child is allowed to do things alone: play outside, walk to school, stay home, take public transport.

    4 options · Your call · School age

  10. 10. Personal-safety teaching

    How you teach children to stay safe from harm by others: warnings about strangers, a trusted-adult plan, body-safety rules, or little explicit teaching.

    4 options · Evidence leans one way · Preschool

  11. 11. Sleepovers

    Whether your child sleeps at other people's homes, and under what conditions.

    4 options · Your call · School age

  12. 12. Parents' own conduct while in charge

    What you each agree to do or avoid while responsible for your child, such as drinking alcohol or using drugs.

    3 options · Your call · Around the birth