Kid proof your home with Bryant Homes

To help promote Child Safety Week (23rd - 29th June), Bryant Homes has compiled a list of top tips to keep children safe in the home. With 40% of all childhood accidental injuries occurring at home or in the garden, the national homebuilder believes that by following some simple steps, the number of accidents could be significantly reduced.

Anthony Mansfield regional sales and marketing director, comments: "Many of the accidents in our homes can be easily avoided, which is why we're committed to helping our customers improve the safety of their homes. Buying a new home could actually help reduce the number of accidents further with modern layouts and appliances and a blank canvas in which to highlight any potential dangers."

Anthony Mansfield continues: "All new homes have double glazed windows which are much safer than the single panes found in older properties. They're harder to break and more secure from intruders with locks fitted as standard. An additional advantage of buying a new home is the storage provided. Clutter is not only unattractive to look at but it is also dangerous for young toddlers who are prone to falling over it, and can be a fire risk. Many Bryant Homes properties are built with fitted storage cupboards to tidy clutter away."

Child Safety Week is run by the Child Accident Prevention Trust and helps people understand the risks to children and the simple changes that can be made to reduce these risks - so that children and young people can enjoy safer, healthier, more active lives.

As a further incentive to improving home safety, Bryant Homes is offering anyone reserving a property during June and July, £250 worth of Mothercare vouchers which they could redeem against child safety products.

Bryant Homes has a number of developments across Greater Manchester and Lancashire including Lock Mill in Blackburn, The Place in Bolton and The Oaks in Leyland.

For further information on the range of properties currently being offered by Bryant Homes across the region telephone 0161 864 8900 or visit bryant.co.uk

Home Improvement - Top Tips To Kid Proof Your Property

1. Alarms - Make sure you have a working smoke alarm on each floor of your home, to provide warning if a fire starts.

2. Poisons and cleaning products - Keep cleaning products, first aid items and medicines either in a locked cupboard or in a high place out of reach of children. Similarly, when buying these products, look for child resistant tops.

3. Electrical appliances - Cover unused electric sockets. Make sure electrical items are tidied away when not in use so that small hands can't pull them off high surfaces.

4. Window locks - As well as keeping people out, window locks are also helpful to keep little ones in. Make sure keys are kept out of sight to prevent temptation.

5. Running baths - Always run the cold tap first and add hot water to the right temperature. Tap protectors can also be bought or fit a thermostatic mixing valve on your hot tap to prevent scalds.

6. Choking hazards - Clear small items from counter tops and tables and keep items with small parts that could break off away from young children. Keep items such as sewing kits, stationery and coins in locked cupboards or out of reach cabinets.

7. Hanging objects - Try to see things from a child's point of view. Look for lamp cords or computer wires and tidy them away. Try to choose irons with short or flexed leads.

8. Sharp objects - Ensure sharp objects such as knives and scissors are kept out of reach.

9. Stairs - Particularly with small children, fit safety gates to both the top and the bottom of the stairs and make sure that steps are clear of debris to minimise potential trips and tumbles.

10. Gardens - Keep garden tools and products such as weed killer tidied away and out of reach. Cover ponds with protective netting and never leave children alone to play near open water.