If the gaps between banisters or balcony railings are more than 6.5cm (2.5 inches) wide, cover them with boards or safety netting. Each year thousands of under-5s are admitted to hospital following accidents, and lots of these accidents are preventable. Toddlers will play with anything they can reach, so keep matches and lighters out of young children's sight and reach.

Start to teach your child how to climb stairs, but never let them go up and down on their own (even 4 year olds may need some help). At night, switch off electrical items before you go to bed and close all doors to contain a potential fire.

If you own a greenhouse or cold frame (a structure to protect plants from the winter cold), make sure it has safety glazing or is fenced off from children.

Watch toddlers when they're in a paddling pool or playing near water. Empty the paddling pool straight after use and then store away. Babies and toddlers will grab at brightly coloured objects, such as mugs. If you're having a hot drink, put it down well out of reach before you hold your baby. Keep hot drinks well away from all young children. A hot drink can still scald 15 minutes after it was made.After warming a bottle of formula, shake the bottle well and test the temperature by placing a few drops on the inside of your wrist before feeding. It should feel lukewarm, not hot. Avoid heating up bottles of formula in a microwave. Use a bottle warmer or jug of hot water instead. Carry on using safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs until your infant is at least 2 years old. Stay with your child when they're eating. Encourage them to sit still while they eat, as running around while eating could make them choke. Use safety glass at a low level, such as in doors and windows. This shatters less easily than normal glass. Look for the British Standards (BS) kitemark.

Work out an escape plan for your family and tell your children what to do in case of a fire. Practise the plan regularly. Food is the most common thing for babies and toddlers to choke on. Young children may also put small objects in their mouths that could cause choking. A baby's skin burns more easily than an adult's. This means you need to take extra care to avoid burns and scalds. Hold on to the handrail when carrying your baby up and down stairs, in case you trip. Make sure the stairs are free of toys and other trip hazards. If you use a bath seat, remember that it's not a safety device. You still need to stay with your baby all the time.

If you get your baby a walker, make sure it complies with British Standard BS EN 1273:2005. Older walkers may tip over more easily and harm your baby. Here's how to protect your baby or toddler from some of the commonest accidents that affect young children. Choking

Use a kettle with a short or curly flex to stop it hanging over the edge of the work surface, where it could be grabbed.

Burns and scalds

Fit safety gates to stop your baby getting onto stairs. Close the gates properly after you go through them. Keep small, silver button batteries well away from small children. As well as being a choking hazard, they can cause severe internal burns if swallowed.