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Safety fears revealed in parents' pollChild falling down stairs tops home hazards fears

20 March 2010

Child stair gates

We've put a range of stair gates through rigorous tests

Parents fear their child falling down stairs more than they fear any other accident in the home, according to a new poll. 

Of parents surveyed by safety equipment maker Clippasafe, 27% said the child falling down the stairs was their greatest concern, among hazards in the home. 

It is reported that, on average, around 41,000 under-fives visit A&E each year in the UK after tumbling down a flight of stairs. 

Stair gates

If you need to childproof your home, the Which? guide to baby safety equipment gives independent advice on how to reduce the risk of accidents and explains child safety symbols shown on products.

We've tested 11 safety gates and found four Best Buys that we would recommend. Check out our full Which? stair gates  review for all  the details.

Plug socket covers

Other concerns expressed in the poll of 700 parents included burns from ovens and hobs (21%), scalding caused by hot bath water (17%), potential poisoning from medication and cleaning products (16%) and the dangers presented by plug sockets and electrical equipment (12%).

Which? put a range of socket covers - including one from Clippasafe - through independent tests to see how easy they would be for a child to remove. Check out our socket covers review to get the lowdown on plug socket safety - and see which four covers were the hardest socket covers to remove.

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Kitchen gadgets and appliances


Kitchen gadgets on test

Which? can help you kit out your kitchen - we've independently reviewed large and small appliances from the leading brands, at all price ranges, including:

You can read the results of our latest tests and see the products we recommend as Which? Best Buys, as well as the ones we don't.