FALLS
Did you know?
• Each year more than 100 children 14 years old or younger die from falls and 2.5 million are treated in emergency rooms for fall-related injuries. Among the children who die more than half are ages 0 to 4.
• Children fall from windows, down stairs, off furniture, from bikes, while skating, and off outdoor play equipment.
• Each year more than 200,000 children are injured on America's playgrounds; a child is injured every two and a half minutes. Most playground injuries relate to age appropriateness and involve children younger than 5 years playing on equipment designed for children who are 5 or older.
What can you do?
• A responsible adult should always supervise young children.
• Don't use a baby walker. Baby walkers tip over easily and allow children to get to dangerous places. A child in a baby walker can fall down the stairs.
• Make sure playground equipment looks safe; there should not be any broken parts or jagged edges. Playground equipment should have protective surfacing under and around it.
• Look for age-appropriate equipment and a separate play area for different age groups: ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12. Children's size and physical ability vary with age. Most children ages 2 to 5 are smaller, weaker, and less coordinated than 5- to 12-yearolds. They also have a higher center of gravity. Young children need smaller steps and crawl spaces. Their hands require smaller grips, and their bodies require appropriately spaced railings on platforms.
• Install window guards in bedrooms and other rooms where children play. You may also consider window stops, which allow windows to open only up to 4 inches. Remember, children can fit through windows open as little as 5 inches. Screens will not protect your child from falling.
• When possible, open windows from the top, not the bottom.
• Keep furniture away from windows to discourage climbing.
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