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Preventing
a Fall, Protecting Your Child
Did you know that falls are the leading cause of injury
among children? It’s a surprising fact to many people
who aren’t aware of just how many different ways
children are injured from falls. Each year, more than
100 children ages 14 and under die and another 2.5 million
are treated in emergency rooms for fall-related injuries.
These injuries occur inside the home, where parents often
think their child is the safest, as well as outdoors when
their children are at play.
Children
are more likely to die or be severely injured from window-related
falls than falls associated with any other product.
Contrary to popular belief, window screens are only
designed to keep bugs out, not to keep children in.
Window screens can easily give way to the weight of
a child, and to a curious unsuspecting child, an open
window is an open invitation for a fall. To prevent
falls from windows, as well as other areas of the home,
the National SAFE KIDS Campaign recommends the following
guidelines to parents and caregivers:
Move chairs, cribs, beds and other furniture away from
windows and draperies. Remember that children can fall
from windows opened as little as five inches.
Install window guards on all windows in your home. Be
sure that these guards meet ASTM standards for emergency
egress in the event of a fire. Never rely on window
screens to prevent falls.
Never let children play on fire escapes, high porches,
balconies or stairs.
Use safety gates at both the top and bottom of stairs.
Stairs are particularly dangerous, and falls from stairs
tend to result in more severe injuries.
Keep hallways and stairs well-lit and clear of clutter.
Never use baby walkers on wheels. Use stationary activity
centers or walker alternatives.
For further information, please visit the National SAFE
KIDS Campaign's website at: http://www.safekids.org
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