Ideally for the structure of your home you would use eco-friendly materials, such as timber for the structure and sheep’s wool for the insulation. For paint work, use environmentally-friendly ones, such as EarthBorn (01928 734 171, www.earthbornpaints.co.uk) and Green Paints (01452 770 629, www.greenshop.co.uk). You will need to ensure windows and doors are safe. Sliding doors should be fixed open or shut to avoid fingers getting stuck. Other doors can be kept open with under-door wedges or slam protectors. All types of windows should have locks that can allow for a draught of air, smaller enough to be secure against break-ins, and large enough not to trap small fingers. The lower half of sash windows should be fixed either permanently or with locks. Underfloor heating is ideal because it provides an even low temperature from the floor that is comfortable for babies to crawl on, rather than a hotter temperature from radiators. With radiators ensure you choose conventional horizontal types, rather than the fashionable ladder style that toddlers can easily climb. To avoid children hurting themselves on hot devices use covers for radiators, and guards for any open fires and cookers. Your electrics need planning too. Sockets should ideally be out of reach. Those within easy grasp should have socket covers that plug in place. Any trailing wires to appliances should be fi tted securely to the floor or skirting boards so a toddler can’t get caught up in them or trip over them. To minimise the number of visible wires, incorporate fixed lighting. Further to the conventional pendant from the ceiling, you could install directional spotlights, wall lights, hidden lights in recesses or ceilings, as well as conventional lamps with plugs at dado level or hidden inside a cabinet. For inspired options, talk to a lighting consultant or a good lighting showroom, such as John Cullen Lighting (020 7371 5400, www.johncullenlighting.co.uk) and Christopher Wray (020 7751 8701, www.christopherwray.co.uk). Also check out our lighting feature on pages 100-103. Floor coverings are also important. Solid flagstones and quarry tiles, for example, can be hard to fall on. Sisals, seagrass and coir can be rough on the skin. Softer surfaces, such as vinyl with cushioned underlays or carpets, are kinder. For more environmentally-friendly options look at linoneluem or rubber for wet areas and wool carpets for other rooms. Where possible, choose furniture with curved edges and use drawer and cupboard catches to stop children getting into them. To avoid young children being able to pull heavy objects on top of themselves incorporate built-in cupboards and shelves. You could also incorporate child-friendly gadgets. Camera monitors will help you keep an eye on children when you’re not in the room. Meanwhile motion sensitive monitors that fit under cot mattresses will warn you if the baby hasn’t moved for a long time. Visit Kiddicare.com or Mothercare (www.mothercare.com) for more on these.