According to Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, falls are the most common cause of emergency room visits for young children. From the moment your children become mobile, it’s time to help them avoid the challenges surrounding them in their new world.
Falls can lead to orthopedic injuries like bruises, sprains, fractures, and more, so we at 360 Orthopedics compiled a list of tips to help you focus your fall prevention efforts. When it comes to childproofing your home, preventing falls is as crucial as keeping chemicals and poisons out of harm’s way.
For the first part of their lives, your child’s world remains mostly within your home. It’s why expectant parents spend time considering ways their child might be in danger from otherwise benign conditions around the house.
While these seem like the ideal solution to expand your child’s mobility in a safe way, walkers also have some hidden dangers. They’re still at an age during the infant and toddler years when control over their bodies continues to develop. A mobile walker adds to their momentum and can push through gates and over dangerous edges. Soon enough, you’ll be trying to rein in their ability to get around, so don’t rush it. Consider activity products that remain in one place for stimulation.
The high sides of cribs are there for an important reason, and you’d never leave your child unattended with the sides lowered. Accidents take little time to occur. Even as you grab a new pack of wipes from the back shelf, there’s enough time for a baby to fall from a changing table. The same holds true when your child is on adult furniture. Toppling and rolling are skills that come built-in and they may lead to a fall anytime your child is elevated.
Consider also that an open drawer provides leverage to topple a dresser over should your child use it as a brace. Attach furniture pieces to the wall if there’s a risk of tipping.
What could be more fascinating to a curious young mind than the view beyond their first four walls? Windows draw inquisitive children like magnets, and if they have access to an opening of as little as five inches, there’s a danger they could pull themselves through.
Insect screens aren’t strong enough to hold back your child. Open windows from the top, when possible, and move furniture that they can climb to access a window. Otherwise, add window guards anywhere you want to protect against a fall.
The ease with which you climb up and down stairs is likely something your child wants to emulate, whether they’re ready or not. Use child-rated safety gates until they’re ready to use stairs. Then, make sure that stairways are free of clutter and trip hazards.
These precautions are, of course, only the first of many you’ll take to keep your child safe. Soon you’ll both be ready for the yard and playgrounds with all the new challenges these present.
Accidents will happen along the way, though your preparations can limit the consequences. Should an injury occur, know that 360 Orthopedics specializes in pediatric care. We can help you have your young one back in action as soon as their body can manage. Call or click to request an appointment at our nearest office today.
