My own DD is fast approaching toddlerdom so I'm a little sensitive as to how to be safe with her in unfamiliar environments in public...
However I was in a bookshop today with very steep and narrow stairs and going down behind a mum with her DD who was about 3 or maybe a little younger. This girl was being dragged down the stairs by her mum with one hand and was swinging around the staircase as her feet weren't touching the steps; her head kept nearly hitting the wall and stairs so I said "mind your head!" and instinctively made a barrier behind her head with my hand. Mum kept dragging her down in a hurry and I felt like I should have said something else but didn't want to be too judgey just in case this is normal. As it was, the mother gave me a very odd look as she left when I was just trying to keep her safe.
I was thinking she is 3, isn't that old enough to coach children down steps themselves? What happens if you're in a hurry?
Tell me I'm being too judgey...normally I'm the first to say "stop being so soft" but this little girl was being treated like an animal!