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Trips and falls
- 0-1 Years
- 1-5 Years
- 5-11 Years
- 11-19 Years
- SEND
- Staying safe and accident prevention
Children’s physical skills continue to improve as they develop through the toddler years and as they get ready to start school. Most children start to become braver and more active. Children this age are not yet able to slow down, judge risks and avoid them. They still need parents and carers to keep their surroundings as safe as possible for them.
Explore the topics on this page:
Check for risks
Look around your home and garden and think about what your child could hurt themselves on. Consider your child’s height and what may be tempting for them.
- Look out for things they could trip over, bump into or slip on. Ask your child to tidy up toys with you every 2 hours to keep the environment safe.
- Make sure there is nothing they can climb on that could put them at risk. For example, check that any windows with sofas and beds underneath, can't be opened by your child.
- Any play equipment should be set up on soft surfaces, and young children should be watched when using them.
Set boundaries
- Set boundaries in your home about where, when and how your child can play actively inside.
- There are lots of risks in the kitchen so your rule could be ‘quiet play only’.
- You might let your child take cushions off the sofa to bounce about and burn off energy safely, if you have the space.
Last reviewed: 24 June, 2026
