After warming a bottle of formula, shake the bottle well and test the temperature by placing a few drops on the inside of your wrist before feeding. It should feel lukewarm, not hot. Make sure your garden is secure so that your child cannot get into neighbouring gardens, where there may be ponds or other drowning hazards. Watch where you're putting your feet while carrying your baby. It's easy to trip over something like a toy. If you have an open fireplace, always use a fireguard that encloses the whole fireplace and make sure it's attached to the wall. Do not place anything on it or hang things from it. Work out an escape plan for your family and tell your children what to do in case of a fire. Practise the plan regularly.

If you get your baby a walker, make sure it complies with British Standard BS EN 1273:2005. Older walkers may tip over more easily and harm your baby. Here's how to protect your baby or toddler from some of the commonest accidents that affect young children. Choking Once your baby has started on solid food, always cut it up into small pieces. Babies can choke on something as small as a grape (these should be cut lengthways). Raw jelly cubes can be a choking hazard. If you're making jelly, make sure you always follow the manufacturer's instructions.When you've finished using your iron or hair straighteners, put them out of reach while they cool down. Make sure your child cannot grab the flex while you're using them. Do not leave your baby unattended on a bed, sofa or changing table, even for a second, as they could roll off. Special devices can stop doors from closing properly, preventing your child's fingers getting trapped. At night, remember to close doors to stop any potential fires from spreading. Each year thousands of under-5s are admitted to hospital following accidents, and lots of these accidents are preventable. Stay with your child when they're eating. Encourage them to sit still while they eat, as running around while eating could make them choke.

Extinguish and dispose of cigarettes, cigars and pipes carefully, particularly at night or if you are tired. Never fill a chip pan more than one-third full of oil, or get a deep fat fryer instead. If a chip pan does catch fire, switch off the hob, leave the room, close the door and call the fire brigade. Use a kettle with a short or curly flex to stop it hanging over the edge of the work surface, where it could be grabbed. Keep button batteries well away from babies and small children, as they can cause severe internal burns if swallowed. If you own a greenhouse or cold frame (a structure to protect plants from the winter cold), make sure it has safety glazing or is fenced off from children.

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Always keep bouncing cradles or baby car seats on the floor, rather than on a table or kitchen worktop, as your baby's wriggling could tip it over the edge. Start to teach your child how to climb stairs, but never let them go up and down on their own (even 4 year olds may need some help). Keep cleaning products high up out of reach, including those for the toilet. If this isn't possible, fit safety catches to low cupboard doors. Choose cleaning products that contain a bittering agent. This makes them taste nasty, so children are less likely to swallow them. At night, switch off electrical items before you go to bed and close all doors to contain a potential fire. If furniture has sharp corners, use corner protectors to prevent your child from hurting their head.

Liquid laundry capsules can cause chemical burns if the liquid gets into a child's eyes, nose or mouth. Keep them out of sight and out of reach.Keep toys and garden play equipment well away from washing lines, so that children cannot stand on them and reach the line. Toddlers will play with anything they can reach, so keep matches and lighters out of young children's sight and reach. Keep small, silver button batteries well away from small children. As well as being a choking hazard, they can cause severe internal burns if swallowed. Use safety glass at a low level, such as in doors and windows. This shatters less easily than normal glass. Look for the British Standards (BS) kitemark. Once they learn to crawl, babies may try to climb onto things, such as sofas, which increases the risk of falling.