Keep Your Young Child Safe from Falls
Published on in Health Tip of the Week
Published on in Health Tip of the Week
Some falls, scrapes and bruises are a normal part of childhood. Children need to stretch their abilities, and sometimes they overreach or simply stumble as they practice new skills. But falls can also result in serious injury.
Falls are actually the leading cause of unintentional injuries in children less than 14 years of age, and are responsible for half of childhood traumatic brain injuries.
“The steps you can take to protect your children from falls will depend on their age,” says Gina Duchossois, an injury prevention expert with the Injury Prevention Program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Chair of Safe Kids Southeastern Pennsylvania. “Infants are more likely to fall from furniture. Toddlers are more likely to fall from windows. Both groups are at risk of falling down stairs. Older children are injured most often in falls from playground equipment.” Children can also be injured by objects falling on them, such as shelves or other furniture.
Duchossois offers some practical tips for reducing the risk of falls for children of different ages.
Contributed by: Gina P. Duchossois, MS
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