Razors, Hair Dryers & Hot Styling Tools
Spot it
A razor on the tub edge or in an open drawer; a hair dryer, straightener or curling iron left plugged in on the counter, or set down to cool within a toddler's reach.
Fix it
AAP: unplug razors and hair dryers and keep them in a cabinet with a safety lock when not in use. For hot styling tools, a small 2009 review of 22 children treated for straightener burns at a Queensland burn center (Poiner et al., Med J Aust) found toddlers were mostly burned by grabbing or pulling down a straightener that was on or still cooling. The authors advise keeping these devices out of reach while in use and while stored, and supervising a child while one warms or cools. This is a small case series, not a national rate.
Safer swaps
What actually fixes this — the category to look for, not a brand we were paid to name.
Unplug and put tools away as soon as you finish; let hot tools cool out of reachHabit
Free; the case series saw burns from devices that were on and from ones still cooling
Cabinet or drawer lock for the bathroom vanity
AAP recommends a safety-locked cabinet for razors and hair dryers
No shopping list for this hazard — the fix is a habit, not a purchase.