Ponds: Ponds are not hedgehog friendly as the little creatures can easily fall in and drown. However, if you have a pond you can make an escape route by providing a 'ladder' such as plastic coated wire over the side and into the water. It is helpful if the pond has at least one gently sloping side, and if it is kept topped up a hedgehog is less likely to fall in.

Paddling pools and sandpits are dangerous when filled with water, so cover sandpits and pools if left outside to keep out rainwater.

Drains, garage inspection pits and other such holes must be kept covered.

Fences need to be in good repair so they cannot blow over and if treated with wood preservative it must be environmentally safe. Make sure there are no gaps in which a hedgehog could trap a limb.

Netting must be at least a foot above the ground so that hedgehogs can walk under it and try to walk through it and get entangled.

Bonfires - use a proper incinerator and examine everything to be burnt to make sure there are no hedgehogs in the rubbish.

Compost makes ideal nesting material for hedgehogs so do take care when turning the heap. A careless fork can kill or mutilate a mother and her babies. Open bags of compost may also be used for nesting. October and November is the safest time to spread the compost.

Strimmers and lawn mowers mutilate and kill hedgehogs and other small wild creatures so take great care to check the area thoroughly as you go, especially when mowing or strimming long grass.

Sheds and garages: Please keep all chemicals, fertilisers, oil, etc. well above floor level. If you normally keep the door open do not close it without checking for nesting hedgehogs. Hegdehogs nest in the spring and summer and may have hoglets in or under a shed, so any dismantling is best left until October when the babies have left the nest and the hedgehogs have not yet gone into hibernation.

Slug pellets and other pest killers are HIGHLY TOXIC to hedgehogs. Hedgehogs eat slugs and will be poisoned. Hedgehogs are efficient slug killers themselves! Check that neighbours are not using slug pellets.

Bin bags of garden waste or other rubbish attract hedgehogs to nest or hibernate in them if left at ground level so please check for hedgehogs before putting them in the wheelie or out for the dustcart.

Feeding your hedgehogs: A meal of dog food will encourage your hedgehogs to stay in or near your garden. Place it under something low to prevent cats or foxes eating it. Always leave fresh water, especially in hot weather.

Dogs - we would prefer to release our hedgehogs into homes without dogs. Cats are OK.

A home for your hedgehog: You are advised to make a shelter for your hedgehog. A hedgehog home can be made easily from timber and other easily obtainable materials.

Full details of how to construct a hedgehog home available from the British Hedgehog Preservation Society