With a child like that, you have to learn not to care if people think you are hovering or a helicopter parent. At that age (and possibly for many years to come),he has no sense of what is dangerous, and could easily be seriously harmed.

One of my children was absolutely fearless for many, many years. I am sure in that time period many people thought I hovered too much, but I didn't care because I knew what would happen if I didn't. Most of our "parent" friends eventually understood the reason we had to hover.

Some children just require more supervision than others. The people whose children don't require as much supervision are not going to understand.