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Do not leave any type of rope or cord lying around, including dressing gown cords and drawstring bags.
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. 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 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.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. 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.
Work out an escape plan for your family and tell your children what to do in case of a fire. Practise the plan regularly. If furniture has sharp corners, use corner protectors to prevent your child from hurting their head. 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. 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.Carry on using safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs until your infant is at least 2 years old. 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. Watch toddlers when they're in a paddling pool or playing near water. Empty the paddling pool straight after use and then store away. Fit safety gates to stop your baby getting onto stairs. Close the gates properly after you go through them.