All children will take the occasional bump on the head or cut to the knee -- it is all part of growing up.

But sometimes childhood mischievousness can result in more than just minor bumps and bruises.

Hospital spokesperson Kendaree Burgess-Fairn said lacerations were the most common childhood injury seen in the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital's emergency department.

"The top three are minor lacerations from falls and fractures of the wrist and sprains,'' explained Ms Burgess-Fairn. "We also see a lot of injuries from pedal bikes where children were not wearing helmets.'' But to prevent those innocent tumbles from turning into concussions, stitches or other injuries which require a trip to the emergency department, several local organisations are distributing information on child safety.

The first rule of thumb in child safety is to never leave children alone -- whether it be outside, in the home or car.

And parents with infants or toddlers should remember that the smallest objects -- like coins, marbles, earrings, tiny toys -- can easily be swallowed by youngsters whose first inclination is to put something in their mouth.

According to the Bermuda Fire Service Association's Fire Prevention Handbook, the kitchen is an area in the home which poses some of the greatest dangers to children -- hot burners, scalding water and electric shock.

Fire officials recommend that adults keep the handles of pots and pans inwards on the stove so children can't grab them, spilling the contents, which could result in a serious scald.

And experts insist food should not be stored in cabinets directly over the stove since youngsters may be tempted to climb onto a stove to reach the cabinet.

The kitchen is also a dangerous place for children because cabinets are usually full of potentially hazardous materials like drain and oven cleaners, bleach and bug sprays.

The Bermuda Pest Control recommends that all potentially harmful products should be placed in a child-proof cupboard.

Parents should also make sure all medication in the bathroom have child-proof caps. When ordering medication from a pharmacist make sure you are given the prescription in a child-proof bottle.

If a child consumes something that is poisonous, the Bermuda Pest Control recommends parents or guardians check the container for first aid instructions and follow them, call 911 and take the container with you to the phone so information about the poison can be given to the emergency operator.

Parents should also be aware of the fact that drownings can occur in places where water is only a few inches deep -- like bathtubs and wading pools.

Experts also suggest that parents teach children to have a "healthy'' respect for water, without being frightened by it.

Children who are near the water should either wear life jackets, personal flotation devices or know how to swim.

Never allow a child to swim unattended -- no matter how proficient a swimmer a child claims to be.

Those residents with swimming pools should also consider putting a fence, with a self-latching gate, around their pools -- for peace of mind.

Several organisations advise all parents, guardians and child care professionals to learn cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid.

For years St. John Ambulance Brigade has been teaching the public the ABC's of first aid and CPR for children as well as adults.

The Brigade's executive director Delcina Bean-Burrows said the organisation, for the first time, will be holding a special course on child safety later this month.

The Basics in Child Safety course will be open to the general public, but Mrs.

Bean-Burrows said she hoped that day care professionals will take advantage of the programme.

"Participants will learn the difference between preventable incidents and accidents,'' she explained. "They will also learn the ramifications of childhood injuries, like the financial and educational implications.

"They will learn home, toy and child passenger safety and receive information on child abuse and neglect. They will also be told what are the most common types of childhood injuries and how they can be prevented.

"I want to make them realise that it is an ongoing awareness, and once it is developed it will stay with them.'' The first course will be held on Saturday, September 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m..

The course fee of $40 must be paid at least one week before the class.

To help make the job of child-proofing your home a little easier, several local stores -- like Toys n Stuff on Church Street and Gibbons Company on Reid Street -- sell handy items to keep children from getting into mischief.

John Swainson, floor manager of Masters Home Centre on Dundonald Street, said the store stocked a line called Safety First.

"There's a wide variety ranging from plastic gates, electrical outlet covers, cabinet latches,'' Mr. Swainson explained. "There are covers to put over stove knobs, bumpers for tub faucets, rail nettings and corner guards.

For more handy tips on child-proofing your home check the Bermuda Fire Services Association's Fire Prevention Handbook, or contact the St. John Ambulance Brigade, or Bermuda Pest Control.

For more informations on the St. John Ambulance's Basics in Child Safety course 236-7831.