Once formal potty training begins, youngsters will be spending a lot of time in the bathroom. Place a teetering toddler high on a potty seat in a cramped space with slippery floors and hard porcelain, and her risk of getting hurt in a fall increases dramatically. Careful baby proofing is a must.

• Outfit floors with skid-proof flooring and mats.

• Place a carpet around the potty to cushion falls.

• Place rubberized decals on the side of the tub and toilet.

• Clear a path from your child's bedroom to the toilet.

• Put a safety clip on the toilet seat to deter toddlers from playing in the toilet.

Babies and young toddlers must be supervised in the bathroom at all times. Even with careful baby proofing, the bathroom may be too dangerous for wobbly walkers to handle alone, especially if they like to climb. Consider moving the potty chair to another room of the house.

Water Safety

Babies and toddlers can drown by falling into toilet bowls — even children who can swim will panic. With their face in the water they can't make a sound, so parents may not discover the mishap until it's too late. Do not let your child use the toilet unsupervised!

Toddlers find the toilet bowl irresistible. Their splashing makes the floor slippery, which increases the danger of falling down or in. Teach other family members to keep the door closed at all times. If you use a potty seat, you must remain present to make sure your baby doesn't try to stand on it, or decide to play in her waste, which babies find fascinating.

Night Safety

Use night lights to illuminate the bedroom, hall, and bathroom to ease the way for your nighttime traveler. Glow-in-the-dark adhesive strips or a potty light not only light the path, but also may be novel enough to draw your child toward the target.