Keeping your child safe at home

We know it’s not nice to think about, but accidents in the home happen and can be devasting when they do, particularly if they involve your child. By taking simple steps, you can significantly reduce risks and create a safer environment for your child. 

• Keep a first aid kit in your home. If you aren't sure what to include, see St John's Ambulance's guidance on first aid kits.

• Make sure there are working smoke detectors in your home and test them regularly.   

• If you have a gas supply in your home, a carbon monoxide monitor should be installed. Gas appliances should be checked and serviced regularly. 

• Store small, potentially dangerous items like matches, lighters, coins, and small objects, including button batteries, out of reach of children. 

• Where you can, fit window restrictors or locks. Store keys in a secure but accessible place for emergencies.   

• Keep floor areas clear of obstacles and free from clutter. Move trailing leads or wires.   

• Make sure electric sockets are not overloaded or damaged. Avoid the use of socket covers which can compromise plug safety mechanisms. 

• Supervise outdoor play particularly around, ponds, paddling pools, plants, and garden accessories and products. See more information in our outdoor safety section.  

• Create a fire escape plan, so you know how to exit safely with your child in an emergency and once your child is old enough, share and practice this with them.  

Top tips for keeping your kitchen child safe 

Little ones love to explore and imitate, often unaware that everyday items can harm them. But you can help by childproofing your kitchen and keeping hazards out of reach. 

• Make sure leads and wires on appliances like kettles, toasters, and irons are kept away from where they can be reached and pulled.  

• Keep hot drinks away from the edges of counters or tables. 

• Store sharp objects like knives and scissors carefully.   

• When cooking on a hob, turn pot and pan handles inwards so they can’t be reached by children. 

• Put household chemicals, like washing capsules or other cleaning products, in a secure place, ideally in a high cupboard. You can use child safety locks if you need to keep them somewhere a child can reach.    

• If you spill something on the floor clean it up immediately to avoid a slippery kitchen floor.  

Explore the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents’ (RoSPA) interactive virtual kitchen to spot potential risks and solutions. 

Avoiding choking 

Choking can happen at any age but it’s important to be particularly aware of babies and young children who are still getting used to solid food. The NHS advises that babies should have their first solid food at around six months old, so they’ll be better at moving food around their mouth, chewing and swallowing (NHS, 2022). We’ve got more advice on weaning if you need it. 

• When you are feeding a baby or child make sure you watch them carefully. Babies can often gag on food; this is a normal reflex designed to prevent choking. When this happens they’ll usually make a noise. But if a child is choking and struggling to breathe it happens quietly.  

• Cut small round food like grapes, cherry tomatoes, and berries into quarters.  

• Chop vegetables like carrots, apples, peppers, or cucumbers into batons or thin strips. Cheese can be cut into strips or grated. 

• Avoid giving under-fives popcorn. If giving them nuts, make sure you chop them up. Avoid marshmallows and hard round sweets like mini eggs or boiled sweets.   

Lots of places run baby and child first aid courses so consider attending one if you can.  

The British Red Cross have information and videos on what to do if your baby is choking, or if you need help with a child who’s choking. In some parts of the country we run free baby and child first aid courses. Use our service finder to find out if there is one running near you. St John’s Ambulance provide more first aid advice on choking. 

You and your child will probably spend a lot of time in these rooms. Here are a few things to think about to make sure they are safe:  

• If you have a fireplace, use a fixed fireguard.  

• Cover sharp edges on tables and furniture.  

• Keep blind and curtain cords secured up high or in a cleat or bracket, and out of your child’s reach. For more information, read about blinds and curtains.  

• Avoid overloading extension leads and plug sockets.   

• Store alcohol out of reach.  

• Secure TVs or free-standing furniture to the wall where possible to avoid it falling.  

Keeping children safe on stairs 

Children love to climb the stairs. They’re a good way of developing their co-ordination and balance and can help them strengthen large muscles, so here are some tips so your child can use them safely.   

• Install safety or stairgates so you can supervise when they go up and down the stairs. Most manufacturers only recommend stairgates up to the age of two years because after this some children can climb over them. If you’ve got flexible, rather than fitted, stairgates, don’t put these at the top of the stairs as they can come off and slide fast down the stairs.    

• Keep stairs free from clutter and well lit.  

• Be aware of your bannisters. Horizontal bannisters can look like a ladder to a child. If you have vertical ones, they need to be close enough that a 100mm sphere could not get through to prevent a child falling.  

• Fix stair carpets down securely.   

• Teach your toddler how to use the stairs and support them while they practice. 

With bath times, toothbrushing, and toilet training, your child will spend a lot of time in the bathroom. Here are some tips to keep them safe when they’re in there. 

• Never leave babies and children alone near water. They can drown in as little as 5cm of water.    

• Use a non-slip bathmat and always run cold water before hot to avoid scalds.   

• Keep your toilet lid closed. Toddlers can fall in and will struggle to remove themselves.   

• Lock bathroom cleaning products away or keep out of reach of your child.   

Learn more about water safety. 

Nappy sacks 

Disposable nappy sacks can be extremely dangerous for babies. They are lightweight and easy to grab, and curious babies may instinctively put them near their mouth or nose. This can quickly lead to choking or suffocation. To keep your baby safe, always store nappy sacks well out of reach and never leave them near a cot, pram, or changing area. 

There are a few things to consider so your bedrooms are safe and can keep being a place to relax.   

• Keep make-up and perfumes out of reach, they can potentially be poisonous. 

• Limit how far windows can open by installing restrictors and avoid putting furniture next to windows to prevent children climbing up.   

• Keep your child away from any heated hair tools like straighteners. Use a heat-resistant pad to store them safely away from children.   

• Make sure there are safety bars and a secure ladder on bunk beds.   

• Never leave babies alone on a bed. Babies can quickly roll off or become wrapped up in the covers.  

Sleep safety 

Your new baby should sleep in the same room as you for the first six months both day and night. The Lullaby Trust has lots of great information on safer sleep. 

Between 16 and 36 months, children are especially vulnerable to getting tangled in blind cords and may not be able to free themselves, increasing the risk of suffocation.   

• Install cordless blinds if you can. New blinds with cords should have child safety features.   

• If cords are present keep them short and out of reach using cleats or ties.    

• Never hang toys or objects that could be a hazard on a cot or bed.   

Accidents from furniture toppling over can be very serious. Try and prevent them by: 

• Installing furniture anchors to secure heavy objects to the walls.   

• Ensuring TVs or other heavy objects aren’t placed on chests of drawers or bookcases.  

• Storing heavier objects in the lowest drawers.  

• Preventing children climbing on furniture drawers, doors, or shelves.  

If you’re renting, check your tenancy agreement to see if you can anchor your furniture to the walls. If you're unsure talk to your landlord or letting agent. Most landlords will let you anchor heavy furniture if you ask for permission. It's important that they keep their tenants safe, especially if you have children.  

If your landlord refuses, there are other options.  

• Most tenancy agreements specify that tenants must return the property in its original condition. This means you may need to fill and repaint any holes made by furniture fixings before moving out to avoid deductions from your deposit.  

• Use non-damaging alternatives like adhesive strips or brackets designed for rentals.  

Toys help your child learn and develop, as well as being fun, but still require supervision. To keep your child safe, you can:   

• Look for the CE symbol or a UKCA mark when buying toys and check the age range for the toy is suitable for your child.  

• Check toys regularly for wear and tear and dispose of them where necessary. Look for loose items, sharp edges, points, and small parts on toys.   

• Regularly check garden swings and slides for safety.   

• Keep play areas tidy.   

• Wheat bags, wheat-filled toys, and microwavable soft toys need to be used with caution and under adult supervision. Always read the manufacturer's instructions.    

Button batteries 

Button batteries are small flat circular batteries found in many objects around the home including: 

• Toys. 

• Remote controls.  

• Car keys.   

• Musical greetings cards.   

• Small electronic devices such as calculators and weighing scales.    

Toys that use button batteries are required by law to have lockable battery compartments. Check toys regularly to ensure these compartments are safe and not damaged or loose. Be aware that older toys may not follow the regulations.   

Get rid of old batteries carefully by using the collection boxes in shops. Flat or dead batteries can still cause injury.  

The dangers of button batteries 

They are extremely dangerous to children if swallowed because they can cause serious internal damage.   

Some symptoms to look out for if you think your child may have swallowed a button battery include:   

• Breathing difficulties. 

• Generally feeling unwell. 

• Developing a cough, gag, or dribbling a lot.  

• Appearing to have a stomach upset or a virus.   

• Being sick.   

• Pointing to their throat or stomach.   

• Complaining of a pain in their throat, chest, or tummy.    

• Tiredness.    

• Quieter or more clingy than usual.    

• Losing their appetite or reduced appetite.   

• Not wanting or able to eat solid food.   

If you suspect your child has swallowed a button battery you should take them to your nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E) department as quickly as possible.   

Magnets 

Strong magnets can be found in toys and other objects, like jewellery and fake piercings.     

Keep small children away from magnets and supervise older children when they are using them. Magnets can cause choking and serious internal injuries if swallowed. If you suspect a child has swallowed a magnet, please seek medical advice immediately.   

Poisons 

As they grow, your child will start to put things in their mouth to explore their texture and taste. Once they’re moving around, they’re particularly at risk of eating things they shouldn’t.  

• Keep laundry and dishwasher capsules out of reach as they can be brightly coloured and resemble sweets. 

• Store medicines in safe, locked places. Try to avoid leaving medicines in a handbag. Where possible, buy medicines in a child-resistant container but be aware these are not entirely child-proof.  

• Alcohol should be kept out of reach of children. Clear alcohol could be mistaken for water.   

• Some plants can be toxic, and if small bits are broken off, they can become a choking hazard.  

• Gardening products can be very toxic and harmful. Always supervise your child around these products and keep them locked away.

• E-cigarettes/vapes and refills are very colourful and inviting so store these out of reach.   

The British Red Cross have some useful information on poisoning and first aid which could help you.    

Litter trays can pose health risks as they can contain harmful bacteria and parasites which can be transmitted by coming into contact with animal poo or contaminated surfaces. Babies and toddlers are especially vulnerable because their immune systems are not fully developed, and they frequently put their hands in their mouths.   

 Some key safety advice to reduce the potential hazards of litter trays include:  

• Keeping litter trays in a room inaccessible to children or behind a baby gate to prevent accidental contact.  

• Cleaning litter trays regularly (daily if possible). Wash hands thoroughly after handling a litter tray.  

• Teaching children to avoid touching the litter tray or the area around it. Young children should never be left unsupervised near pets or their waste areas. This minimises the chance of accidental ingestion or direct contact.  

• Regularly deworming cats and routine veterinary check-ups can reduce the risk of parasites being passed to humans.  

• Keeping baby toys and food preparation areas away from pet litter or waste zones. Consider using a covered litter box to limit access and contain any spills or odours. 

• If you are pregnant, avoid changing the cat litter yourself. Cat poo can contain a parasite which can harm your unborn baby. If you must change the litter yourself, make sure you wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly.  

All of the information on this page was created with practising health professionals. This page was reviewed in December 2025. We will next review the page in 2028.