No home can be completely safe but there are some very obvious and easy things to do, which can make a child’s room considerably safer. Don’t use paraffin or oil burning heaters and make sure radiators and open fireplaces have guards.

- The floor should be non-slip.
- Carpets should be smooth and flat. Rugs should not be rucked up and should not curl up at the corners.
- Rugs, matting and carpet, and cork or vinyl tiles should all be kept in good repair.
- Electric power points should be fitted flush to the wall, out of reach of young children and fitted with socket guards when not in use.
- Electric leads should not trail all over the floor or become twisted with use.
- Where young children are playing, lamps should be fixed onto the wall, not placed on the floor or a table.
- All electrical equipment should carry an official safety-approved label which shows that it has been checked and has passed certain safety regulations. If you are using foreign equipment, check that it is suitable for the voltage of the country in which you are living.
- Use a safety gate if the child’s room is near the entrance to the stairs.
- Fix a protective metal base, or a grid or bars to the lower frames of upstairs windows at least.
- Fit windows with safety catches.
- Furniture should not have any sharp comers at child’s head-height.
- Make sure bunk bed ladders are secure and that there’s a safety rail to stop a child falling out of the top bunk.
- Ensure that large items of furniture and heavy heaters cannot be pulled over onto the child.
- Always choose a sturdy cot/playpen with no protruding parts that could cause cuts or bruises.
- Ideally, spaces between cot or playpen bars should be between 38 – 50 mm (1.5- 2 in). If the cot is drop-sided, there should always be an automatic locking device.
- Never put a child under four years old into a top bunk.