Falls: Protect Your Child from Falls

Prevent falls from furniture/child care products:

. Don't leave babies alone on beds, changing tables and sofas.
. Always strap your child into the high chair or stroller.
. When your child can sit alone, place crib mattress in a lower position. Move mattress to lowest position when child can get to standing position.
. Never use baby walkers on wheels.
. Pad sharp edges of furniture, especially coffee tables.

Prevent falls from high places:

. Never leave a child alone on a balcony, fire escape, or high porch.

Prevent falls from windows:

. Place safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs to protect children under 2.
. Keep stairs clear of clothes, toys, etc.
. Keep doors leading to basement or attic locked.
. Make sure handrails are sturdy and secure. Check regularly for loose posts.

Prevent falls on stairs:

. Place safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs to protect children under 2.
. Keep stairs clear of clothes, toys, etc.
. Keep doors leading to basement or attic locked.
. Make sure handrails are sturdy and secure. Check regularly for loose posts.

Prevent falls on the playground:

. Supervise young children on swing sets, slides, and other playground equipment.
. Avoid playgrounds with asphalt, concrete, grass and soil surfaces.

Prevent falls on slippery surfaces:

. Beware: the bathroom and kitchen are the most common rooms for falls.
. Immediately mop up any water on the floor.
. Use a rubber mat in the bathtub.
. Use throw rugs with nonskid backings.
. Consider installing nonskid stair runners.

Prevent falls from shopping carts:

. Always strap your child into the seat. Do not use a cart without a safety strap.
. Do not allow your child to ride in the part of the cart where the groceries are placed.
. Do not allow your child to stand in the cart.
. Do not leave your child alone or move more than an arm's length from the cart.

Prevent falls on escalators:

. Make sure your child always holds onto handrails.
. Do not allow your child to lean against the side panels or sit on the escalator steps.
. Keep your child's hands, feet and clothing away from moving parts and side panels.
. Do not allow your child to run or play on escalator.
. Do not allow your child to walk down the "up" escalator or up the "down" escalator.
. Use an elevator, not an escalator, for a child in a stroller.

### 

Information about Falls was graciously shared by Dr. Patricia Keener, author of Caring for Kids: Useful Information & Hard-to-find Facts About Child Health and Development , and Riley Hospital for Children.