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Child safety at home guidance header

 

Keeping children safe at home

Our Child Safety guidance brings together trusted advice and practical actions to help parents, carers and professionals create safer home environments.

Explore the topics below for guidance, tips and resources to help protect children while supporting their development and independence.

Falls Burns & scalds Poisoning Choking, suffocation & strangulation

Drowning

 Fire Windows Car seats

 

 

Are you experiencing an emergency?

Medical advice

If you need advice or are unsure whether you require medical assistance 

Call 111

Medical emergency

In an emergency or if someone is in need of immediate medical assistance

Call 999

 

Why young children are at greater risk

Children are not simply "small adults.” Their physical abilities often develop faster than their awareness of danger. As children grow, they become more mobile, more independent and more eager to explore. However, their ability to recognise and respond to risks develops gradually, making supervision and safer environments essential.

Children may be at greater risk when they are:

  • Learning new skills such as rolling, crawling, walking or climbing
  • Exploring new areas of the home independently
  • Copying the behaviour of adults or older children
  • Spending time in unfamiliar environments
  • Experiencing changes to normal routines.

Small, practical changes in the home can make a significant difference in preventing serious injuries. 

 

Safety by age and stage

Babies (pre-crawling and early mobility)

Babies are fully dependent on adults, but they develop quickly. As they begin to roll, reach and move, falls can happen from beds, sofas or changing surfaces.

Crawling babies

Once babies start to crawl, they can access many more hazards. Small objects, household items, and everyday clutter can quickly become dangerous, particularly as babies explore by putting things in their mouths.

Toddlers

Toddlers are active and curious and often try to copy what they see. This stage brings increased risks from falls, burns and scalds, poisoning, choking, suffocation, strangulation and water-related incidents.

Preschool children (2–4 years)

Children are becoming more independent but they still lack full awareness of danger. Close supervision remains important, particularly around water, roads and household hazards.

Children aged 4 and over

Older children have a better understanding of rules and safety messages, but still require supervision in higher-risk situations. Encourage safe play and continue reinforcing messages about water, road, and fire safety.