There’s a lot we can do to prevent serious injuries – particularly if we understand the links between accidents and a child’s development.

Top tips for the different ages and stages of a child’s development.

Babies – Babies depend utterly on their parents and carers for all their needs.

Toddlers –Toddlers are inquisitive little people with lots of energy. But they have very little understanding of the hazards around them.

Small children aged 3 to 5 – Although their co-ordination is getting better, children of this age are easily distracted.

Children aged 5 to 7 – Children of this age are starting to feel more ‘grown up’. But they still have a long way to go before they are ready to do many of the things that adults do.

Children aged 8 to 11 – They are now starting to challenge the things that adults tell them and to prove themselves to their friends.

Young people aged 11 to 14 – Growing children start to think of themselves as ‘young adults’ – and may think that safety advice is just for younger children.

A word of caution: In these sections you will find key safety tips associated with children of a particular age. But it is important to realise that every child is different. And that children develop at different rates, with some rolling, crawling or walking more quickly than others.

So parents and carers need to be one step ahead in safety at all times. One of the most common phrases heard in A&E is: “I didn’t know they could do that!”.