This article discusses the need for physical protection and care of infants and young children and families. One of the most important preventable challenges to children's physical safety and protection is toxic substances in their environment. Many toxic substances that affect the central nervous system are in drinking water, soil, air, and areas inside the home and school. Children, because of their smaller bodies, rapid growth, and expectable pleasure in playing on the ground or floor while exploring with their hands and mouths, can absorb many of these toxic substances in relatively higher proportions. There are many categories of toxins commonly found in the environment. In addition to the well-known risks of lead, alcohol, and tobacco by-products, as well as patterns of substance abuse, a number of toxins can be found in products used for lawn care (herbicides), insect control, (pesticides), and house-cleaning and painting products (volatile organic compounds). The fact that toxic substances have contaminated breast milk, water, soil, and air should be cause for alarm and collective corrective action. Concern about these toxic exposures and other threats is compounded by the fact that even the most modest damage to the functioning of the human central nervous system can result in an escalating cascade of learning, intellectual, emotional, and social problems.