In order to ensure your baby's safety you need to always have an eye on dangers and plan ahead. In most cases it is a matter of common sense but sadly most accidents do happen in the home.

Never under estimate a baby and especially a toddlers inquiring mind. A baby will put any thing and everything into their mouths, it is an important developmental stage and how they discover the world. Older babies will explore everything with their hands as they learn this way, exploring their environment. This raises a big problem as babies cannot discriminate between what is safe or potentially harmful, therefore you have to be on your guard at all times and toddler proof your home.

It only takes a second for a child to find the one thing you left around, like a heat seeking missile they are on it and the potential for harm is obvious. This problem is magnified as soon as your baby learns to crawl, pull themselves up on objects and walk.

Always keep dangerous items away from your child but also consider whether the toys and foods you are giving your child are safe and age appropriate.

Never leave your child alone when they are eating. A small child can easily choke on food, even those you would regard as safe. Also be aware that certain foods are not suitable for young babies due to the very real risk of choking, foods such as raisins can easily lodge in a babies throat. Raisins and other foods such as nuts should be avoided until your child is old enough to chew them safely. Remember nuts and other foods can cause serious allergies and are not recommended for young babies.

One common cause of child hood accidents in the home is scalding. Children's skin is delicate and can not withstand temperatures as ours can. Be careful where you put hot drinks, keep them away from exploring hands. Food temperature should also be carefully checked. Test food and formula before giving it to your child. Microwaves, whilst useful, can quickly overheat food or heat it unevenly, so test foods thoroughly as your child will not.

Good habits start early, feed your child good quality healthy food from a range of food groups. Avoid sugary foods and drinks as these will quickly become the only thing your child will want to accept, creating a fussy eater with all the potential health issues a sugar rich diet brings.