When you have children, you start to become aware of the potential hazards in the home and outside.  Here are some key areas to consider:

In The Garden

Plants

A surprising number of plants are hazardous - some are poisonous if eaten, whilst others can cause skin irritation (ranging from mild to severe) if someone comes into contact with the plant.  Many berries are not suitable for human-consumption, and the safest way to deal with these is to remove them from the plant as soon as they appear if you have young children. 

Common Name                                         Latin Name                                            Harmful Parts                      

Deadly Nightshade                                    Atropa Belladonna                                   All                                       

Foxglove                                                  Digitalis                                                 All                                        

Lily of the Valley                                       Convallaria                                             All

Don't forget your indoor plants too - whilst children are very young, you may find it easiest just to keep houseplants out of reach.  For more information on whether your indoor plants are poisonous or not, visit www.lancaster.unl.edu/factsheets/031

Ponds

A child can drown in just a few inches of water, so it is essential to keep ponds covered while your children are young.

Sandpits

Always remember to keep these covered when not in use, to ensure that they are not used as litter-trays by cats.  Cat faeces can be particularly harmful for toddlers and young children as well as for expectant mothers.