Believe it or not there are more accidents and fatalities that occur in and around the home than that on the roads, in the water or up in the air. The place you believe to be you're safe haven might not be as protected as it should be. Are you and your kid's safe in the home that men refer to as their castle? Even a castle has a moat to protect those behind the wall. I don't doubt that you will have taken all the necessary precautions to keep your kids and pets safe, however and not intentional many dangers that kill and maim go unobserved. As a caring parent you want to do right by your children keeping them safe and out of harm's way, but how? When these so called "hidden" dangers are not to be seen? Most accidents that happen in the home and the specific hazardous element that caused it, "is" actually seen by the protector, but oblivious to the damage and harm it can cause has these perilous troubles overlooked.

Tips on how to keep children safe in the home

We all know toddlers are inquisitive (curious) little characters. Remember, "Curiosity killed the cat." Every room in the house will hold a danger that's threatening to the well being of your child.

1. Things like an upstairs window left open is lethal if a child is left upstairs alone, even the staircase itself without a safety gate being another (depending on the age of the child.)

2. If the toddler is at a height where he/she can reach the hot tap is a classic peril in the home that has kiddies regularly treated for scalds.

3. A risky household appliance is the iron. Casualties by the minute are treated for iron burns. Pick an allotted time to do your ironing so toddlers don't play ring-o-roses around your legs. (Bedtime) If this is not possible for whatever reason then be careful. Never leave the iron to cool down on a work surface, or ironing board that's within easy reach. It's not good practice, and neither is the flex if left dangling. Hairdryers, curling tongs and razors have to be stored away so kids are not tempted to copy mommy/daddy. This applies to perfume and aftershaves, so children don't drink the stuff or spray it in their eyes.

4. Cleaning substances like bleach, disinfectant, furniture polish or other, are not children friendly. Serious complications can rise from children getting hold of them. It's important to store tablets/pills in a locked bathroom cabinet. God forbid if they get their hands on medication. An overdose can kill and a stomach pump is nasty.

5. Reconsider location of your cutlery drawer if it's low down. (Knives forks corkscrew meat skewers can blind and pierce the skin).

6. Door locks leading to the outside of your home you need to fit up high. You know as well as I do you have to have eyes in the back of your head when looking after toddlers. Low down locks make it easy for children to let themselves out, and if you haven't got eyes in the back of your head then the outcome could be disastrous.

7. Electricity we often take for granted, forgetting that it can kill through shock or fire. Check all electrical wires/cable are wrapped in protective covering. Wires should be un-tangled without knotting. Teach your children how to use electricity safely, or point out the dangers from misuse (the child's age will determine which safety pointer to tell.) Every year in Britain thousands of people are seriously injured as a result of electrical accidents in the home, most being minors.

8. Table lamps low down is not ideal, tell the children not to touch the bulb inside. Avoid bedside lamps in their bedroom.

9. If you smoke, don't around children, and neither leave you're fags matches or lighter hanging around.

10. Test smoke alarms you have installed in your home regular to make sure they work. Batteries don't last forever.

11. Lighting should be bright in the home. Fumbling in the dark is dangerous. Don't use candles unless necessary. Have the outside of your home brightly lit so the foot path is clearly seen.

12. Cover gas cooker knobs so children can't turn them on. And place protective covering over electric burners while cooling down.

13. Opened tins and lids discard immediately, as they're sharp. Keep the rubbish bag in a pedal bin so you're dog/cat can't rummage inside for scraps. Kids tend to follow behind a cat and dog and might be tempted to eat the green mould bread and cheese you threw away, or food gone over their sell by date

Keep kids safe and minimize the risks of accidents involving electricity. Minors don't understand the dangers of electricity, and neither do a lot of adults who claim they do, and suffer due to their false claims.

14. Protect your family from harm and check for damaged plugs, sockets and frayed flexes, which are seriously dangerous and should be mended or replaced.

Tips to help parents keep children safe from everyday electrical dangers in the house:

Water and electricity not a match made in heaven. And that's where you'll end up if you work with a combination of the two. After having a bath thoroughly dry you're body before touching electrical appliances.

Don't give drinks to kids while on the computer or playing on their games consoles.

Switch off electrical appliances before retiring for bed, not only is it a safety measure you need to get in the habit of doing, it will save you money and good for the environment.

The garden will always look pretty and inviting in spring and summers months, however a dangerous place for you - your kids and pets. Lawn mowers, hedge cutters, leaf vacuums all work off electricity.

Never leave children unattended in the garden shed. A gulp of pesticide or falling hammers can kill.

Electrical sockets used to power these appliances should be fitted with an RCD, a safety cut out device.

Fit safety covers over plug sockets. Kids have a tendency to stick their fingers or whatever is in their hand at the time of their attention being drawn towards the socket inside.

Garden Hazards

15. Warn children about rose bushes because of the thorns

16. They say worms are full of protein; however kids are not to eat bugs and berries

17. Branches that hang low are tempting for a child who likes to climb. If spiky twigs spiral through fencing alongside a walkway then trim them back to avoid puncturing of the skin or eye.

18. Cover the garden pond when you're not there, nonetheless children should be supervised at all times if a water feature is installed covered or not.

19. Place covers over all drains to stop kids putting their hands in the water flow, or worse still their mouth.

20. Holes in concrete paving need to be filled

21. Garden walls, fences and ladders attract kids like magnets who then in a split second become spider-man. Warn them of the dangers of climbing

Why not let the experts help you keep your children safe in the home

The Electrical Safety Council has introduced a new online resource switchedonkids.org.uk which includes games, quizzes and other fun interactive features to help children understand more about safety and the dangers involved with electricity. .There's also a section for parents which include basic essential first aid information that no home owner with kids should be without.

You know your child's behaviour better than any other therefore giving you insight to what he/she is capable of doing or likely to get up to. Get a pen and paper and jot down the dangers you see and tick them off as you fix or replace. Ask your partner have they noticed any jobs that need dong. It is a good idea to visit each room of the house because people tend to forget what's included in them. This will help jog your memory so you can protect your kids from harm.

Christmas is around the corner so think candles and fairy lights as being hazards if not carefully handled.

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