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.

Once they learn to crawl, babies may try to climb onto things, such as sofas, which increases the risk of falling. 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 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).

Poisoning

Keep button batteries well away from babies and small children, as they can cause severe internal burns if swallowed. 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). Do not leave any type of rope or cord lying around, including dressing gown cords and drawstring bags. Fit safety gates to stop your baby getting onto stairs. Close the gates properly after you go through them.

Do not leave your baby unattended on a bed, sofa or changing table, even for a second, as they could roll off. Liquid laundry capsules can cause chemical burns if the liquid gets into a child's eyes, nose or mouth. Keep them out of sight and out of reach. 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.

Keep toys and garden play equipment well away from washing lines, so that children cannot stand on them and reach the line. 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. Carry on using safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs until your infant is at least 2 years old.

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. Here's how to protect your baby or toddler from some of the commonest accidents that affect young children. Choking Each year thousands of under-5s are admitted to hospital following accidents, and lots of these accidents are preventable. Baths are the commonest place for babies and young children to drown. Stay with your baby or toddler the whole time they're in the bath. Never leave them for a moment, even if there's an older brother or sister in the bath with them.

Suffocation

Fit smoke alarms on every level of your home. Test them every week and change the batteries every year. 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. Avoid heating up bottles of formula in a microwave. Use a bottle warmer or jug of hot water instead. 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.

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. 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. Work out an escape plan for your family and tell your children what to do in case of a fire. Practise the plan regularly.

Burns and scalds

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. If furniture has sharp corners, use corner protectors to prevent your child from hurting their head. 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. 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. 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.