Falls
- Falls are the leading risk factor for non-fatal injuries and are a common reason across all ages for children to need hospital treatment. Children trip, twist their ankles or stumble as a normal part of life. Many of these cannot be avoided; however, there are a number of things you can do to help reduce the chances of your child being seriously injured by a fall.
- The further a child falls, the greater the risk of serious injury. For example children should not be allowed to play on double-decker bunks for a fall from the top bunk can be hazardous.
- When children fall they will be less likely to be hurt if they land on a soft or semi-soft surface rather than on a hard one.
- Consider the sort of play equipment from which falls are more likely to occur. Trampolines are one example. Supervise such play and help children learn to use the equipment safely.
- By reviewing the home environment including stairs, windows, or anything else in the house where an active child could take a tumble, parents and carers can pre-empt possible problems.
- Safety Gates leading down stairs or through areas of the house that you do not want the child to access need to be secured particularly when young children are still learning to navigate a staircase.
- Use glass safety stickers. When young children are engaged in play they may not even notice a glass door or screen!
- When children play in designated and maintained playgrounds parents and carers need to look around to identify equipment from which children could fall. Most councils today make sure that equipment is safe, but as with anything, take a quick look at the equipment around the area, and assess it for yourself.
- During play, watch where balls might be thrown or kicked as children will give chase to retrieve them, regardless of where they land.
- Most of all, practise anticipatory supervision. Look at where children are playing or running and either physically or verbally redirect them if they are heading towards a hazard.
