Making your home safe for your family is priority and whether it be the stairs, plug sockets or blinds, here are some excellent tips from a leading homebuilder.

Barratt Homes West Midlands is offering new homeowners in Burton, Uttoxeter and South Derbyshire five top tips for moving with a baby and making your new home safe 'as houses'.

Graydon Worthing, sales director at the homebuilder, said: "With the popularity of Help to Buy, more and more newlyweds and young families are finding it easier to get onto the property ladder.

"In support of these younger homeowners we’ve decided to put together our five top tips to help homebuyers protect their babies from the most common causes of accidents in the home."

Secure your stairs

It may sound drastic, but we recommend you install safety gates on the stairs as soon as possible, even before your baby starts crawling! He or she will be up and about, looking to explore before you know it, so preparation is always the best form of defence.

Keep your baby safe from electronics

Make sure young children can safely explore around electronics by covering plug sockets with caps or moving furniture in front. Use electrical tape or covers to ensure wires and cords are trussed up and out of reach for your baby to grab or fall over.

Beware of strangulation

If you have blinds on any of the windows, make sure you tie the cords or chains well out of reach. Never put a cot near a window with such a blind. Additionally make sure all electrical wires and cords are kept tucked away and out of sight.

Babyproofing your stairs is important and it is recommmended to install safety gates as soon as possible

Keep poisons out of reach

Keep potentially harmful items, such as household cleaners, liquitabs and medication, out of reach and sight of young children. Remember just because these substances have child-safety caps, does not make them baby-proof. A locked cupboard high out of reach is the most secure place for them.

Decorate carefully

Make sure you stash breakable decorations and ornaments away from tiny hands. Get rid of any harmful plants, no matter what they add to the character of the house. If you have ornaments hanging from a wall ensure these are well secured with heavyweight picture hooks and won’t fall off.

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