Fall safety for kids on the go
When you're out and about, continue to keep fall safety for kids in mind:
- Fasten safety belts. Always strap children into car seats, strollers and shopping cart seats. Never leave your child unattended in a shopping cart or allow him or her to stand up or ride in the basket of the cart — which could tip over.
- Examine playgrounds. Under play equipment, look for surfaces made of wood chips, sand, mulch or shredded rubber. Try to remove tripping hazards, such as rocks, and steer your child to age-appropriate activities.
- Beware of escalators. Avoid bringing strollers onto escalators. Always carry your child or hold his or her hand as you ride, and watch for dangling clothing.
- Watch for slippery surfaces. Encourage your child to approach wet, dark and paved areas with caution in cold temperatures. Make sure your child wears shoes or boots with traction in bad weather. A heavy or bulky coat can provide cushioning in the event of a fall. Also, avoid carrying a child while walking on slippery surface.
Keeping your child safe from falls takes more than luck. Follow these precautions, and you'll go a long way toward preventing injuries.
Apr. 12, 2014
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- American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention. Policy statement: Shopping cart-related injuries to children. Pediatrics. 2006;118:825.
- Playground safety guide. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00313. Accessed Oct. 31, 2013.
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