How do I keep my child safe while letting him take risks?

While you know that kids are at risk of severe injury from accidents, the number one cause of death and hospitalizations among kids, you also know deep down that you're putting them at even greater risk down the line if you don't allow them to take risks and understand what consequences may mean. The key is to expose your child to developmentally appropriate risks and provide sufficient support until he masters skills. Think of providing safety as giving your child training wheels for life: You let him ride all kinds of metaphorical bikes but provide training wheels until he learns how to ride on his own. For instance, when he first explores stairs, you follow behind him; when she first jumps off the edge of a pool, you catch her. It's better to teach your child to climb the stairs with you as a safety net, so that if you are looking the other way and he sneaks over there, he's better prepared.