Preventing falls in infants and young children
- December 28, 2024
- 0
Focus About falls and fall preventionIn India, falls are the leading cause of injury at every age. As babies and toddlers begin to move, trips and falls become
Focus
- Fall prevention is about adapting a child’s environment to keep them safe as they grow.
- Close supervision is key to safety.
- Children fall from beds, changing tables, high chairs, steps, furniture, windows, balconies, stairs, railings and play equipment.
- Slippery bathroom floors and other hazards on the floor can also cause falls.
About falls and fall prevention
In India, falls are the leading cause of injury at every age. As babies and toddlers begin to move, trips and falls become more common.
Injuries in children can happen when you least expect them because children are growing and developing new skills.
The best way to keep your child safe is to observe the new skills your child is learning and the new places he can reach and explore, and then adjust your environment accordingly.
High chair
Always use your high chair’s 5-point safety harness at home and outside to prevent falls from your high chair. Other furniture
As your child grows, move furniture away from other furniture in the room. This will prevent your child from climbing from one piece of furniture to another or climbing onto high shelves. Place furniture that your child needs to reach in low places so that they don’t try to climb onto furniture.
Bathroom: Prevent Falls
Keep your child in your arms at all times. Encourage your child to sit in the bathtub.
If your bathtub does not have a non-slip surface, use a non-slip bath mat in the bathtub.
Bedroom: Prevent falls
In the bedroom, remove toys from the bed so that your child cannot use them to get in and out of bed. Please note that bunk beds are only available for children over 9 years old. The top bunk should have a safety rail. Using a night light is very convenient. This will help prevent falls if your child wakes up at night.
Factors that influence fall injuries
There are three main factors that affect the severity of a fall:
- The height from which the child falls: The lower the height, the less damage. Children under 5 years of age should not be exposed to heights above 1.5 meters, and children over 5 years of age should not be exposed to heights above 2 meters.
- Floors where children fall: Hard floors such as concrete, tiles, and even polished concrete are more likely to cause injury than soft floors. A layer of tan bark or pine shavings should be placed under play equipment to provide a better grip. This bed should be 30 cm deep.
- Things that children can fall into if they fall: Place furniture with sharp edges such as coffee tables and bedside tables so that they are not tripping. You can also use corner protectors on the sides.
