Children are one of the groups which are most vulnerable to domestic accidents. 60% of all the accidents which happen to children up to 5 years of age happen at home. The lure of adventure, increased curiosity, immaturity in a crisis, and the inability to coordinate movements are the main causes of these accidents. Falling, poisoning, burns and/or injuries from tools are some of the most common types of accidents.

Undoubtedly all parents want to create safe conditions that will prevent or minimise the risk of their children having an accident in the home.

As part of this effort, experts emphasise the following:

• Never leave children at home alone and remove dangerous objects and toys.
• Make sure there is adequate lighting inside and outside the house.
• Do not leave water in large containers or in the bathroom.
• Be very careful when you walk around the house holding cups of hot drinks.
• Switch cooker hobs off when not in use, make sure that the ironing board and lamps are in a secure place, ALWAYS cover the electrical sockets with the special protective covers which are commercially available.
• Avoid having glass doors and put furniture with sharp edges in a secure place. Be sure to cover the sharp corners with special covers.
• Make sure the stairs and floors are not slippery. Install special gates that prevent your child going up the stairs and make sure there are no chairs near the windows.
• It is a good idea to close the toilet seat, and to make sure the garbage can cover is difficult to open.
• Remove any poisonous plants.
• Place medications, cigarettes, and cleaning fluids and any other sharp or small objects in places that are not easily accessible and are out of the reach of children.
• Keep your service or hunting gun in a safe place. The gun should ALWAYS be empty and kept locked away. Keep the bullets and cartridges in a different place which is also safe and secure.