Patient education: Preventing falls in children (The Basics)

Is my child at risk of falling? — Falls are common among children, but they can still be dangerous. Falls can lead to broken bones, head injuries, or other serious injuries.

Several things can increase your child's risk of a fall, including:

●Problems that come with age or developmental stage, such as:

•Learning to crawl, stand, or walk

•Balance problems

•Becoming more active

•Poor judgment or peer pressure

●Things in the environment, such as:

•Stairs

•Slippery surfaces

•Windows

•Furniture

•Toys

•Playground equipment or outdoor toys

●Illnesses, injuries, or after a surgery

How can I help prevent falls and injuries? — Supervising your child is the most important thing you can do to lower your child's risk of a fall. Here are some other tips to lower your child's risk of falling.

General tips:

●Have your child wear proper, safe footwear. Young children should also wear socks with rubber grips when they are not wearing shoes.

●Use safety straps on highchairs, changing tables, and baby carriers. Place baby carriers on the floor instead of on a table or counter. Do not use infant walkers.

●Store favorite toys and books on low shelves or in baskets that are easy for your child to reach.

●Take extra care if your child has had surgery or is in the hospital.

Inside:

●Use window guards, or keep windows locked. Do not rely on a screen to prevent a fall. If possible, do not place furniture right in front of a window, since a child could climb on it.

●Secure furniture and household items to a wall if there is a danger of them tipping over. This includes items like bookcases, dressers, and TV stands.

●Use gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Teach your child to hold the handrail.

●Use siderails on beds and cribs. Do not let children sleep on the top bunk of bunk beds until they are at least 6 years old.

●Keep floors free of throw rugs and clutter. Secure wires or cords to prevent tripping.

●Keep the bathroom area safe with non-slip mats on the floor, tub, and shower.

Outside or away from home:

●Check playgrounds carefully. Look for sharp edges, bolts, or open hooks. Pay extra attention to the surface below the playground. Is it meant to protect a child if they fall? Rubber, mulch, wood chips, and sand are safer than concrete or asphalt.

●Be sure that your child sits while in a shopping cart or stroller. Use safety straps.

●Do not leave your child unattended on a deck or balcony. Check that the rails are sturdy and secure.

●Have your child wear a helmet and protective pads or clothing when doing activities like riding a bike or scooter or using skates.

●Never let your child ride in a vehicle without seat belts, like the back of a pickup truck or a golf cart.

What should I do if my child falls? — Do your best to stay calm.

●Look for signs of an injury.

●If you think that your child has been seriously hurt, call for emergency help.

●If no one is available to help, keep your child comfortable and wait for someone to arrive who can help you.

●Tell your child's doctor about their fall.

More on this topic

Patient education: Head injury in babies and children under 2 years (The Basics)
Patient education: Head injury in children and teens (The Basics)
Patient education: Fractures (The Basics)
Patient education: Taking care of cuts, scrapes, and puncture wounds (The Basics)
Patient education: Taking care of bruises (The Basics)

Patient education: Head injury in children and adolescents (Beyond the Basics)