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. Watch toddlers when they're in a paddling pool or playing near water. Empty the paddling pool straight after use and then store away. 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.

If furniture has sharp corners, use corner protectors to prevent your child from hurting their head. Keep button batteries well away from babies and small children, as they can cause severe internal burns if swallowed. Here's how to protect your baby or toddler from some of the commonest accidents that affect young children. ChokingDo not leave your baby unattended on a bed, sofa or changing table, even for a second, as they could roll off. 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. 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.

Food is the most common thing for babies and toddlers to choke on. Young children may also put small objects in their mouths that could cause choking. At night, switch off electrical items before you go to bed and close all doors to contain a potential fire. 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. Hold on to the handrail when carrying your baby up and down stairs, in case you trip. Make sure the stairs are free of toys and other trip hazards.

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Once they learn to crawl, babies may try to climb onto things, such as sofas, which increases the risk of falling. A baby's skin burns more easily than an adult's. This means you need to take extra care to avoid burns and scalds. Toddlers will play with anything they can reach, so keep matches and lighters out of young children's sight and reach. 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.

Make sure your garden is secure so that your child cannot get into neighbouring gardens, where there may be ponds or other drowning hazards. Work out an escape plan for your family and tell your children what to do in case of a fire. Practise the plan regularly. Fit smoke alarms on every level of your home. Test them every week and change the batteries every year. 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. Keep e-cigarettes and their refills out of sight and reach of babies and toddlers. Nicotine is poisonous and can be very dangerous for young children.Avoid using cot bumpers in your baby's cot – they are a hazard for choking, suffocation and strangulation. See more about reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). If you use a bath seat, remember that it's not a safety device. You still need to stay with your baby all the time. 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. 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).