Falls are the leading cause of injury in children. Babies fall from changing tables. Toddlers fall out of high chairs. Preschoolers fall out of bed. School-age kids fall on the playground. Teenagers fall during athletic activities. Your job as a parent is to protect your child. You won’t be able to protect your child from all falls, but you must do everything possible to protect your child from serious falls. Check every area every time for hazards. Don’t fall down on your job of preventing falls. No exceptions! No excuses! No regrets!

The Size of the Problem Nationwide

• Each year, more than 2.5 million children are injured in falls. Children ages 4 and under account for more than half of these injuries.
• Among children ages 4 and under, more than 80 percent of the falls occur at home.
• In 1998, almost 13,000 infants (between 5 months and 15 months) were injured in baby walker-related falls. In 76 percent of baby walker injuries, babies fell down stairs.
• Each year, about 5,000 children (mostly toddlers) are injured by falling from windows. The majority of these falls result in head injuries.
• Each year, more than 230,000 children ages 14 and under are injured in playground-related falls. School-age children, ages 5-14, account for 70 percent of these injuries.
• In 1998, more than 12,000 children were injured in falls from bleachers.

Source: National SAFE KIDS Campaign

Useful Info: Protective Surfaces

Every 2-1/2 minutes, a child is injured on a playground. Most of these injuries occur when children fall off swings, monkey bars, climbers, or slides. Falls account for 90 percent of the most severe injuries on playgrounds.

The surface under and around the playground equipment makes a big difference in the severity of the injury from a fall. Safer surfaces include: sand (10 inches deep), wood chips (12 inches deep), rubber outdoor mat (follow manufacturer’s instructions). Sand and wood chips should be raked weekly to prevent them from packing. The playground surfacing should cover the area surrounding the equipment as follows:

Swings: 6 feet on each side of the swing set and two times the height of the swing set in front and back.
Monkey bars and climbers: a minimum of 6 feet in every direction.
Slides under 4 feet high: a minimum of 6 feet from end of slide.
Slides more than 4 feet high: the height of the slide plus 4 feet from the end of slide.

Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics and Kids Health by the Nemours Foundation

Safety Habits: 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:

• Move beds, chairs and other furniture away from windows.
• Do not rely on screens to protect a child.
• Do not allow children to play around windows or patio doors.
• Install window guards or keep windows closed to protect children.

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.