Accidents happen, and we can never completely protect our children. However, we can do a lot to prevent accidents and sickness from occurring.

We can provide a safe environment and point out danger areas; we should have safety devices and explain to our children ways of keeping themselves safe.

Open areas: Often the hallways, stairs and landings of a home are where serious accidents can occur. Keep these areas free from toys and rugs that could be slipped on.

It's sometimes better to let children go barefoot than to slip on socks. Make sure these areas are well lit, even at night, so a little one cannot tumble in the dark.

Stairs: Fit safety barriers or gates - one for the top of the stairs and one for the bottom. Make sure the banisters are secure and have bars close enough together so a little head cannot get stuck in between them. Do not use horizontal bars, as they can be used as ladders.

Be careful of glass. Avoid it at the bottom of stairs or in doors; if you do have it, ensure it is safety glass that has been toughened. Alternatively, put a safety film over it for temporary safety.

Doors are usually our first defence against the world outside. Make sure your front and back doors can be secured with locks.

A high bolt, out of the reach of a young child on a chair, is a good investment.

Teach a child never to open the door to a stranger. Do not allow a child under five to answer the door. Teach a child door-dangers - for example, not to play near a closed door which can open unexpectedly, and not to put fingers near to the hinge or opening.

Fire: Keep a guard up at all times. Don't put intriguing mysterious items on the mantlepiece that a curious child may want to investigate. Make sure the fabrics of clothing and upholstery are fire-retardant.

Teach a child, in simple words, the danger of fire and HOT things.

Be careful with electric equipment: ensure all are wired correctly and do not overload. Tidy away all flexes from prying little hands. Cover - or teach the danger of playing with - electric sockets.

Get down to their level: Before your child can crawl, get down on all fours and crawl around your home; see any dangers for yourself and correct them. Sharp corners on tables or low-lying ornaments may only become obvious this way.

Chairs: Invest in a five-point harness and use it in all chairs, seats or prams. Do not leave your child totally unattended in a high-chair - a harness will not help her if she is choking. Keep the high-chair a little away from the table or the toddler may be able to push it over by kicking the table.

Do not put a baby in a bouncing chair on a work surface: it is easy for her to bounce it off and fall, causing injury.

The kitchen is a dangerous place. Appliances with flexes that can be pulled, blenders and toasters have spaces where little fingers can fit, so leave worktops uncluttered and put appliances away when not in use.

Keep washing-machine and dishwasher doors shut. Always unplug tumble-dryers when not in use. Keep dangerous fluids or household chemicals in locked cupboards. Keep anything sharp out of reach. Invest in safety catches for cupboards and drawers, and tape them if necessary.

All parts of a cooker are dangerous. Don't leave pan-handles sticking out. Never leave pans unattended (whoever phones or calls); use the back rings first and switch the cooker off at the wall when it's not in use.

Explain the dangers of the cooker when children are at an early age. Keep a fire blanket in the kitchen for emergencies and fit a smoke alarm in a carefully thought-out area.

Baths are fun if you just keep to the rules. The danger is a child can drown in only a few inches of water; the water can scald if too hot; slippery baths can cause falls. So, never leave a child under five alone in the bath. Pour the cold water in first, then hot, and test the temperature with your elbow. Use a non-slip mat and sit your child away from the taps.

Nighttime: Make your child's bedroom as safe a place as possible. Moses baskets and cribs should not be used once a baby can roll over. Also, once they can get out of the cot, they'll investigate every corner.

Check the cot for safety regulations. Do not place a cot near curtains or blinds - the cords can strangle. Do not use a pillow or a duvet or a cot bumper for a child less than 12 months old.

Bunk beds can be dangerous for children of any age, but especially those under six years old.

Windows are highly dangerous. The keep-safe tips: do not open the bottom sash - or do fit catches that allow ventilation but do not let the window to be opened too much. Fit security locks, but keep the key in a safe place where people can have access in case of fire.

Do not leave chairs etc under windows that a child can climb on.

Health safety: Some sickness is a part of life. But some can be prevented or at least discouraged. These tips will not keep your family disease-free, but are worth doing to give your child a healthy edge.

Breastfeed your baby. Mother's milk is full of infection-fighting antibodies.

Make frequent hand-washing a family rule.

Encourage teeth-brushing after each meal and before bed; visit the dentist regularly.

Encourage children to cough into their handkerchief or shoulder; it is much less likely to spread disease than coughing germs into hands.

Let your children know early the horrific dangers of smoking cigarettes.

Remember, children learn by example - so set a healthy one by eating wisely and exercising regularly.