Knowing how to prevent leading causes of child injury, like falls, is a step toward to keep our children safe and secure and help them live to their full potential. However, in recent years and in a recent supervision, stair-related accidents are an extremely common cause of injury among young children ( from 0 – 9 years old). Therefore, it is a vital importance of taking notice of looking at children everytime. This is common sense but something we don’t think about often. Then, parents here please:
- Beware of heights. Never leave a baby alone on a bed, changing table or piece of furniture. Use the safety strap on highchairs and other infant seats. Don’t allow a young child to play alone on a fire escape, high porch or balcony. Safety netting also may help prevent falls.
- Keep stairs safe. Make sure stairs have handrails on both sides that go from the top step to the bottom step. Keep stairs clear of clutter and in good repair. When carrying a child, avoid carrying other items.
- Install safety gates. Block a toddler’s access to stairs with safety gates. If you’re putting a safety gate at the top of a staircase, attach it to the wall.
- Keep windows locked and screens in place. A young child may squeeze through a window opened as little as 5 inches (12.7 centimeters). Although all windows that open should have guards or screens, screens aren’t strong enough to keep a child inside. Discourage play near windows and patio doors, which could lead to a fall through glass. Don’t store or display anything a child could climb near a window.
- Prevent access to extension cords and ladders. It’s easy to trip on extension cords. Store ladders on their sides in a shed or garage.
- Address slippery or uneven surfaces. Use a rubber pad in the bathtub to help prevent slipping and clean kitchen spills quickly. Use foam carpet padding, double-sided tape or a rubber pad under area rugs to keep them from sliding. Fix chipped or broken steps and walkways as soon as possible.
- Avoid baby walkers. A young child may trip over a baby walker, fall out of the walker or fall down the stairs while using a walker.
- Use night lights. Consider using them in your child’s bedroom, the bathroom and hallways to prevent falls at night.
- Supervision is key. Supervise young children at all times around fall hazards, such as stairs and playground equipment, whether you’re at home or out to play.