All about home safety

Once your baby becomes mobile, you'll need eyes in the back of your head o keep an eye on them. Life can, however, be made a lot easier with a few choice safety items. Which ones are essential and which ones are a waste of money will vary from family to family, from house to house and from child to child. For example, some children have a fascination with the toilet and insist on putting all sorts of things into the bowl and flushing them away. Other children show no interest whatsoever. Some children are remarkably obedient and once told 'Don't touch!' can be relied on not to investigate further. For other children, the fun of discovery is more important.

We have a wide choice of items that may help. Most cost very little. What usually stops parents from using some is that many make life that bit more awkward for everyone. If you have to slightly open a cupboard and slip your hand in to reach for a second catch, it takes that bit longer. If there are locks like these on every cupboard in the kitchen, you'll soon find it very frustrating.

Well, I didn't know baby could do that!
Many babies end up in casualty with their parents saying: 'I didn't realise he could do that!' Babies learn fast and the first time they attempt something is the most likely time for an accident. Don't assume that because your baby has shown no interest in something that he will never touch it. Ask yourself what would be the consequences of baby getting hold of something. You may have already locked away that precious Ming vase, but this may also be the ideal opportunity to get rid of that unsightly Wedding present!

Whether the object might just make a mess or could make your baby extremely ill if it found it's way into his mouth, it's safest to get everything out of their reach. Always question what your baby is doing or might be about to do. You can never protect them from every accident, but let hope you can protect them from the most severe.