Here are some top tips for ensuring your toddler is safe on the street:

- Make sure he knows which areas he is and isn’t allowed to run in, for example, running is fine in the garden (make sure it's baby-proofed!) or in the park, but not while you walk by a road.

- If he has a penchant for running ahead, you may need to get some baby reins to keep him safely near you. Otherwise, suggest that he can only walk as far as the next tree or lamppost where he has to wait for you, and keep him in your eyesight the whole time.

- Set a good example by always crossing the road in safe places.

- Teach your child from an early age about hidden entrances and concealed roads.

- When he is old enough – make sure he knows the Green Cross Code.

By the time he reaches two years old, he will be able to play running games and climb and jump from things. Again a few ground rules have to be set here:

- Make sure he knows he is not allowed to jump from anything that moves, such as a swing or roundabout.

- He may enjoy jumping on and off furniture so make sure bookshelves and other heavy furniture cannot topple over. Let him know his limits: he is not allowed to climb on the coffee table or on the kitchen worktop, for example.

- Make sure chairs he can climb onto are not placed by open windows, cabinets or by stair banisters with drops below them. He will explore and climb anything that looks fun.

By the time he reaches three he should be a pretty proficient walker, runner and jumper, and can probably weave in and out of trees at the park. You can encourage him to do activities like balancing games – ask him to stand on one leg and see how far he can count up to. He will be able to hop, skip and play playground games at nursery that involve all manner of actions to strengthen his growing limbs.