Child safety: preventing falls
Falls are one of the most common causes of injury in children. Children love to run, climb and explore their environment, and some falls are part of the process of growing up. However, some types of falls can be serious. If you have children of any age, think about their physical abilities and what they might be able to do. In this way you can pre-empt a situation where injury may be likely to occur.
Slippery floors are a danger to all children. Wipe up spills quickly and use non-slip rubber mats for passage areas and the bathroom. Your local hardware shop will be able to advise on products that help reduce slippery surfaces.
Here are some other tips to help prevent falls.
Babies and toddlers
Standing and toddling babies fall over often as they take their first steps towards learning to walk. Make sure their environment is clear of things that can trip them up, for example electrical cords and loose mats and rugs.
Don’t buy a babywalker for your child. Experts say these contribute to injury by allowing young children to move faster and further than the child could do by him or herself, putting the child in danger of falling down steps or tripping over. There is also no good evidence that they help children to learn to walk by themselves any earlier.
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Always place babies where they cannot fall. Consider using the floor when changing a baby rather than a table, but if you do use a changing table never leave your baby alone on it. If you need to answer the door or phone, take your baby with you.
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Babies falling out of high chairs are common causes of injury. Before you buy a high chair for baby, move it backwards and forwards to see if it’s stable.
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Make sure the chair has a harness that holds baby across the legs and shoulders and prevents him or her from standing up in the chair. If it doesn’t, buy one separately.
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Strap babies and small children into their strollers.
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Clear stairways of tripping hazards such as toys left lying on the steps.
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Double-check the sturdiness of any furniture in your house that your child might clamber on to.
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Only buy play equipment that has a soft surface to break a child’s fall.
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Put padding around sharp or protruding pieces of furniture, especially those at the level of the child’s head or face.
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Use barrier gates or door locks to stop your child going into dangerous places.
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As soon as he or she is able, teach your toddler how to climb down from a fixture as well as up.
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Children under 5 should not have access to heights over 1.5 metres.
Older children
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Ensure children have adequate protection when skateboarding, roller-blading or riding a bike, e.g. helmets, knee, elbow and wrist guards, etc. Insist they wear this safety gear.
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Help your child to learn to ride or skate safely.
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Teach children not to walk or run with sharp objects such as scissors or knives, or items that break easily and can be dangerous such as glassware.
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Bunk beds are not suitable for children under the age of 9 or so.
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Ensure play areas have soft fall areas such as woodchips under playground equipment. Grass or compacted sand can cause injury if fallen onto from a height.
Last Reviewed: 13 June 2001
