We know how important it is to keep our children safe at home, while at play and at school. That's why we have a wide range of articles about child safety. Additional articles are at the bottom of this article or click here to view.

The holidays are upon us! It’s a time when many kids get to sleep late, eat breakfast at odd hours and get out and about a lot more than they do during term time. Having a holiday though shouldn’t mean abandoning all the rules – especially those designed to keep kids safe. The thought of safety shouldn’t send you into a spin either - it’s often simple steps that have the most effect.

Always buckle children into the appropriate child restraint or safety belt for all trips no matter how short. As an adult, set a good example and ensure you always wear your own safety belt.

If you’re travelling long distances by car, have enough water for children to drink, and take regular rest and exercise breaks. Never leave kids alone in the car. An overheated car can be like an oven on a hot day.

Keep a first aid kit in your vehicle in case of an injury and ensure it’s stocked before you head away.

If you’re staying away from home, make children familiar with their surroundings – especially with roads, unfamiliar pets, and any safety precautions.

If you’re boating, ensure children wear life jackets.

Teach children visiting rural areas to respect farm machinery. Remember it’s recommended that only people over 16 years ride All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs).

It’s a good idea to remind grandparents about safe storage of medicines if you’re staying with them. Young children are often poisoned by medications in their home, or the home of someone they know.

Always supervise children in or near the water – no matter how shallow it may seem. Young children can drown in only 4cm of water.

Supervise children in playgrounds. More than 1200 children a year are injured falling from playground equipment - some of them seriously.

Ensure children wear helmets and other safety gear when riding bikes, skating, rollerblading or using other wheeled toys.

Use safety pads on trampolines, and have only one child at a time use the tramp.

If you have a shared driveway, know where young children are, especially when vehicles are leaving or arriving. Every year children are killed or severely injured in their own driveway by vehicles driven by family or friends.

Information provided by Safekids New Zealand, P O Box 19544, Avondale, Auckland, New Zealand, telephone 64-9-820 1190, website www.safekids.org.nz.

Other articles about child safety

Buying toys for your children Safety guidelines for buy toys for babies and young children.

Dog safety  How to protect your child around dogs 

Keeping safe on the holidays Joy Gunn from Safekids  New Zealand tell us how to keep our children safe over the school holidays.

Keeping Warm and Safe during winter  Joy Gunn gives advise on keeping children safe during winter.

Poisons  Keeping children safe from household poisons

Preventing falls and tripping up Safety around your home

Safety - When hot water burns like fire Joy Gunn gives advise on how to keep your children safe from hot water burns.

Safety around pools and boats. Water safety around boats and swimming pools.

Safety - When hot water burns like fire Joy Gunn gives advise on how to keep your children safe from hot water burns.

Safety around pools and boats. Water safety around boats and swimming pools.

When hot water burns like fire Joy Gunn gives advise on how to keep your children safe from hot water burns.