Falls

Falls are the number one cause of unintentional injury to children. While we don’t expect parents to wrap their kids in bubble wrap, it is extremely important to take a few safety precautions to prevent serious fall injuries–the bathtub, falling down stairs, or playing near an unsecured window.

The Facts

Each year, almost 5000 children are injured after window falls.  Most children who fall are between 2 and 5 years old.  Most falls happen in the spring and summer months.  Small steps can save a child’s life.

Top Tips

To prevent a window fall tragedy in your home:

• Install window guards or put in window stops that keep windows from opening more than 4 inches.
• Keep furniture away from windows to limit a child’s access. For your crawlers and climbers, move chairs, cribs, and other furniture away from windows to help prevent window falls.
• Never rely on window screens to prevent children from falling out a window. Screens are designed to pop out for fire safety—the weight of a toddler can easily push through a screen.
• Open windows from the top down, if possible.
• Keep windows closed and locked when not in use.

To prevent playground injuries:

• Take your kids to playgrounds with shock-absorbing surfaces such as rubber, synthetic turf, sand, pea gravel, wood chips or mulch. If your child falls, the landing will be more cushioned than on asphalt, concrete, grass, or dirt.
• It’s important that kids have the freedom to be creative and push their limits. That means wearing a helmet for appropriate activities such as biking or snowboarding to prevent a head injury that can ruin the fun down the road.

To prevent falls on stairs:

• Use approved safety gates at the tops and bottoms of stairs and attach them to the wall, if possible. Remember to read the manufacturer’s instructions and warning labels to make sure you have the right gate for your needs. Not all gates are safe for use at the top of stairs.
• Actively supervise toddlers on stairs. Hold their hands when walking up and down stairs

To prevent falls at home:

• Keep babies and young kids strapped in when using highchairs, infant carriers, swings and strollers.
• If your baby is in a carrier, remember to place it on the floor, not on top of a table or other furniture.
• There are some things to know about baby walkers: They don’t come with safety features that prevent the walkers from rolling down the stairs, and it’s easy for children to fall or reach higher objects that may be unsafe. So please be extra careful.
• Because baby walkers can be dangerous, try using a stationary activity center. These items give your baby a chance to practice standing and moving more safely. Look for one that is on a stable, non-moveable base and place it away from stairs, hot appliances, or window cords.

To prevent falls at the grocery store:

• Don’t leave your child alone in a shopping cart.
• If possible, use shopping carts that have a wheeled child carrier that is permanently attached. Some of these models look like cars or benches attached to the shopping cart, so your kids will love them.
• If you are placing your child in a shopping cart seat, use a harness or safety belt. If the belt is missing or broken, select another cart.
• We know that letting your child ride in the cart basket, under the basket, on the sides or on the front of the cart is fun. It can also be dangerous.