For many of us, winter means heading to the ski slopes, curling up at home and pulling out the extra warm doonas.

Families with young children are prone to a few extra risks in the winter, so here are a few key examples and preventative tips to ensure that your family stays safe and healthy during the colder months.

Winter is a great time for cuddling up on the couch with the family, watching movies and cooking warm, hearty meals.

People tend to spend more time indoors during the colder months, and there are a few safety precautions to remember at this point.

Firstly, make sure that you are careful when using a heater. The most important points are to ensure that they are not near anything which could burn or melt (including computer cords, curtains and blankets) and that they are always turned off when you are leaving a room.

Leaving a heater on overnight or for a few hours without supervision can lead to a number of terrible accidents. Ensure that children know that they cannot touch the heater, to ensure that they are not burnt or injured.

Children (and pets) should be also kept away from the heater to avoid it being tipped over.

Fireplaces can be dangerous for many reasons and it is incredibly important to keep children far away from an open fire. The new Dreambaby® Royale Converta® 3-in-1 Play-Pen Gate is a perfect fireplace barrier, ensuring that children cannot burn themselves.

Winter is also a time when many children are more prone to contracting the flu and other illnesses. Make sure that they dress warmly (but not overheated), that they do not spend too much time with sick children and that they are treated appropriately, should cold symptoms appear.

Adults are more likely to fall ill in winter too, so ensure that you have a fully stocked medicine cabinet at home.

And remember to keep all medications out of reach of children in a locked cabinet.

One of the best things about winter is the yummy food! Hearty soups, thick stews and slow-cooked meats are some of the best winter warmers for the whole family.

It’s important to make sure that children stay far away from the kitchen while cooking, because these are all meals that can cause serious damage. Large stock pots, and boiling water in general can cause serious burns if touched or tipped over.

Ovens can be dangerous too. Slow-cooked dishes can take eight hours or more to cook in a hot oven, so children should avoid this area the whole time.

Dreambaby® Safety Gates are an ideal barrier preventing entry into the kitchen. Other items including the Stove Top Guard, Microwave & Oven Lock, Oven Knob Covers and more can be used to secure specific appliances, should you wish to not block the kitchen entirely.

Another important aspect of winter safety is driving. Roads can be wet and icy at this time of the year, so it’s even more important than ever to drive carefully – especially if you’ve got kids in the car. Drive slowly and take extra care to be aware of road conditions and surrounding traffic.

Take the proper precautions if you are driving to a snowy area, to avoid skidding and other accidents.

Winter can be a relaxing time for many, but it can also be cold and potentially dangerous. With a few simple tools and precautions, winter can be fun and safe for the whole family.

Make sure that children dress warmly, act with caution around heaters, fires and hot food or drinks.

Keep a locked and out of reach, well-stocked medicine cupboard in case of sickness or injury and be careful on the road, especially in ice or snow.