Falls

Falls from a height are thankfully rare, but when they do happen they can be devastating. While keeping a close eye on your little one is the safest thing you can do, we know it’s not always easy – and accidents can take place in the blink of an eye. By taking the following steps, you can make sure your home is that little bit safer:

• Never place furniture near windows, especially in bedrooms. It’s amazing what toddlers can use as a ladder
• Make sure all upstairs windows have a window restrictor fitted. This allows windows to open enough to allow fresh air in, but not children out.

The stairs are a common place for serious falls to take place, both for toddlers who are still finding their feet, and occasionally for adults who are carrying young children. Taking a few simple measures can help make your stairs a safer place:

• Keep stairs free from clutter that could cause you or your little one to slip
• Fit wall mounted safety gates at the top AND bottom of the stairs
• If you’re struggling to choose a gate, check out this guide to buying stair gates (courtesy of Which?)
• Stairs should be carefully maintained. Damaged or worn carpet should be repaired or removed
• Make sure balustrades are strong and do not have any footholds for climbing
• Stairs should always be well lit.

There are countless items in our homes and gardens that can cause nasty slips or trips. Here are some to be especially watchful for:

• Never leave babies unattended on raised surfaces
• Do not place baby bouncers on raised surfaces - they could fall off with the movement of the baby
• Always change nappies on the floor, rather than a high table top or sofa
• Always use a securely fitted five point harness in a pram, pushchair or highchair
• Keep garden play equipment like swings, slides and climbing frames well-maintained.