Final answer:
To promote safety, the nurse should educate the mother to place the toddler on their back to sleep, avoid placing items in the crib that could lead to suffocation, properly dispose of plastic bags, and ensure pacifiers are not placed around the toddler's neck to avoid strangulation risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
To promote safety and reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), it is important for a nurse to educate the mother of a toddler on various practices. One crucial recommendation is to place the toddler to sleep on his or her back, a practice supported by ample research suggesting a reduction in SIDS incidents. Additionally, to decrease suffocation hazards, it is advised that the toddler's crib should not contain items like blankets, pillows, or padded crib bumpers. Plastic grocery bags should be disposed of properly to prevent the risk of suffocation. It is important to note that pacifiers should not be placed around the neck of the toddler, as they pose a strangulation risk. Instead, parents should be vigilant about providing a safe sleeping environment, which encourages back-sleeping and is free of loose objects.
Furthermore, parents should ensure that the toddler is not left unattended around water sources to prevent drowning, and they must also be aware of potential lead exposure dangers from objects the child might put in their mouth. Parents can find reliable information on SIDS from reputable health organizations that will help them stay informed and proactive about their infant's safety.