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An eighteen-month-old, or one-and-a-half-year-old, has begun to gain independence. The child moves and walks independently, wants to explore everywhere and is very curious. Even the home can be full of dangers. It is helpful to remove sharp-cornered objects and small ornaments or other items the child could swallow.
Household chemicals are very dangerous for the child. Children may find laundry and dishwasher detergent tablets, put them in their mouths and chew them; they may also drink chemicals. These can be dangerous. All chemicals should be kept locked away and out of the child's reach.
Adults should not take medicine in front of the child. The child may want to imitate us and take medicine, and may do so if they find an opportunity and gain access. Many children who come to an emergency department or intensive care have older family members who regularly use medicines at home. A child may find and take their grandfather's blood-pressure tablets or their mother's migraine medicine. We should not set a bad example by taking these medicines in front of them.
There is a routine health check for an eighteen-month-old. At one and a half years, a pediatrician should measure length, weight and head circumference, perform a physical examination and administer the vaccines for that age. As of the end of 2014 in Turkey, eighteen-month-old babies receive the five-in-one combination vaccine (a diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus combination), plus oral polio vaccine and hepatitis A vaccine. These vaccines should not be neglected.
