Babies can drown in as little as 5cm (2 inches) of water. Drowning is one of the commonest causes of child death – it's often silent, so you won't necessarily hear any noise or struggle. 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. Fit smoke alarms on every level of your home. Test them every week and change the batteries every year. Once your baby has started on solid food, always cut it up into small pieces. Babies can choke on something as small as a grape (these should be cut lengthways). Raw jelly cubes can be a choking hazard. If you're making jelly, make sure you always follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Domestic fires are a significant risk to children. Smoke from a fire can kill a child in a few minutes. Cooking appliances, electrical equipment and cigarettes are common causes. Keep button batteries well away from babies and small children, as they can cause severe internal burns if swallowed. Fit safety gates to stop your baby getting onto stairs. Close the gates properly after you go through them.

Drowning

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. If furniture has sharp corners, use corner protectors to prevent your child from hurting their head. Extinguish and dispose of cigarettes, cigars and pipes carefully, particularly at night or if you are tired. Keep e-cigarettes and their refills out of sight and reach of babies and toddlers. Nicotine is poisonous and can be very dangerous for young children.

Here's how to protect your baby or toddler from some of the commonest accidents that affect young children. Choking If you have an open fireplace, always use a fireguard that encloses the whole fireplace and make sure it's attached to the wall. Do not place anything on it or hang things from it. Avoid heating up bottles of formula in a microwave. Use a bottle warmer or jug of hot water instead. Work out an escape plan for your family and tell your children what to do in case of a fire. Practise the plan regularly. Carry on using safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs until your infant is at least 2 years old.

Falls in babies

Each year thousands of under-5s are admitted to hospital following accidents, and lots of these accidents are preventable. Avoid using cot bumpers in your baby's cot – they are a hazard for choking, suffocation and strangulation. See more about reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). 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. 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.

Special devices can stop doors from closing properly, preventing your child's fingers getting trapped. At night, remember to close doors to stop any potential fires from spreading. 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. 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). Always keep bouncing cradles or baby car seats on the floor, rather than on a table or kitchen worktop, as your baby's wriggling could tip it over the edge.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. Watch toddlers when they're in a paddling pool or playing near water. Empty the paddling pool straight after use and then store away. If the gaps between banisters or balcony railings are more than 6.5cm (2.5 inches) wide, cover them with boards or safety netting. If the gaps between banisters or balcony railings are more than 6.5cm (2.5 inches) wide, cover them with boards or safety netting. Small babies may be able to squeeze their bodies through, but not their heads. Toddlers will play with anything they can reach, so keep matches and lighters out of young children's sight and reach.

When you've finished using your iron or hair straighteners, put them out of reach while they cool down. Make sure your child cannot grab the flex while you're using them. 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. Watch where you're putting your feet while carrying your baby. It's easy to trip over something like a toy.Do not leave your baby unattended on a bed, sofa or changing table, even for a second, as they could roll off. Keep toys and garden play equipment well away from washing lines, so that children cannot stand on them and reach the line. 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. Make sure your garden is secure so that your child cannot get into neighbouring gardens, where there may be ponds or other drowning hazards.