Parents are always put on guard when their children play outdoors, but in truth, most kids' injuries take place at home.

KK Women's and Children's Hospital says it treats about 20,000 cases of injuries a year, more than half of which occur in the home.

Dr Arif Tyebally from the hospital's emergency medicine department says most of the injuries occur in children under four years old.

In addition, a 2005 study done by the National University Hospital found that falls are the most common type of injury, accounting for about 77 per cent of home injuries.

LifeStyle asked the experts for tips on how to make the home safe for children.

Here are 10 suggestions from Dr Tyebally and Dr Anbumalar Ramiah, senior manager of Youth Health Programme Development at the Health Promotion Board.

1 Fix window grilles on all windows and keep them locked. Ensure that the gaps between the grilles are not wide enough for children to slip through. Beware of horizontal grilles - they can turn into ladder steps for children.

2 Beds should have railings at the side and set at a low height.

3 Chairs and tables should not be placed near windows.

4 Arrange furniture neatly. Active children may hurt themselves when playing in a cluttered room.

5 Children under seven years old should not sleep on double-deck beds as they could fall off.

6 Use socket covers on electrical outlets. Do not leave electric cords or wires hanging around.

7 Toys with small removable parts are not suitable for young children. Keep an eye on toys that are damaged or broken.

8 If there are stairs in the house, baby gates should be installed at the bottom and the top.

9 Furniture should preferably have rounded edges. Otherwise, cover any sharp edges with corner guards.

10 Rugs or mats should be of the non-slip variety to prevent slipping.

This article was first published in The Sunday Times.