Childhood Falls Prevention: Information for Parents
As a parent or caregiver, you can play a major role in preventing serious falls.
Supervise young children at all times, especially around fall hazards. A serious fall can happen in a split second. If you need to step away from your child for a short time, put him or her in a safe place, like a crib or playpen.
Because more than 80% of fall-related injuries happen at home, it is important to keep your home safe for children. Some of the most common types of falls include falls from beds, cribs, stairs, highchairs, and windows. Follow these tips to protect your child from serious falls:
- Do not leave your child alone on a bed or other piece of furniture (changing table, sofa/couch, counter, table, etc.). She may roll or crawl off unexpectedly (even if she has never rolled or crawled before!)
- Do not let your child jump on the bed or other furniture.
- Use a safety rail when your child is moving from a crib to a bed. If using bunk beds, use a safety rail on the top bunk
- Have your child sleep in a safe, age-appropriate bed. Co-sleeping is not recommended. more
- Keep crib sides up when your baby is in his crib, even if he can't yet push up on both hands.
- Lower the height of the crib mattress when your baby can push up on both hands/all fours. Lower it again when she can sit up or pull to stand.
- Remove toys, bumper pads, mobiles, and other objects from your child's crib. These items are not recommended for cribs at any stage. In addition, as children grow, they could use them as steps to climb over the side.
- Stop using the crib when the top rails are less than 3/4 of your child's height.
- If using a used crib, ensure that it has all needed parts and that it works properly. Regularly inspect the crib to check for safety risks (loosened screws, etc.).
- Find specific information on new crib safety standards, including the recent ban on drop-side cribs, through the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
- Always strap your child in when using a high chair, booster seat, car seat, swing, stroller, shopping cart, or anything else with safety straps!
- Look for special safety features on high chairs, such as a wide base, wheels that lock, and five-point harness straps.
- Make sure older children who are not strapped in sit safely in their chairs (no standing, tipping back, etc.)
- Use child safety gates at both the top and bottom of the stairs.
- Use safety gates that meet current safety standards. Gates should have a JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association) Certification Seal.
- When possible, use gates that are mounted to the wall or banister, rather than tension gates. Mounted gates offer the best protection, particularly at the top of the stairs.
- Do not use accordion-style gates. Your child could get her head caught in them.
- Keep gates closed and locked in place at all times.
- Do not use baby walkers on wheels. A child may fall down the stairs or tip over while using the walker. Use a stationary play center with a stable non-moveable base instead.
- When your child is learning to crawl or walk, teach him how to go down stairs backwards. If he goes down backwards, he can hold on to the stair above him for balance.
- Actively supervise your toddler on the stairs. Hold her hand and teach her how to hold the handrail when going up and down stairs.
- Do not let children run or play on the stairs.
- Keep stairs well lit and clutter free.
Falls from windows tend to be the most severe and/or fatal. According to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, every year, over 3,000 children are injured and about 8 die after falling out of open windows. Since 2008 in Rhode Island, 12 children have been injured falling out of windows with one fatality.
- Do not rely on a window screen to stop a child from falling out of a window. Screens are not strong enough to prevent falls.
- Install window guards on all windows above the first floor. Make sure they can be opened quickly from the inside in case of a fire.
- Use window stops so that windows do not open more than four inches. A young child may squeeze through a window opened more than four inches.
- Open windows without guards or stops from the top only. Be warned, however, that
growing children may have enough strength and skill to open the bottom pane.
- Keep windows locked when they are closed.
- Move high chairs, cribs, and other furniture that a child could climb on away from windows.
Supervision is key
Please remember that no safety device can take the place of your watchful eye. Supervise young children at all times, whether you're at home or out to play. Supervision is the best way to keep them safe.