FALL POTENTIALS IN THE HOME

Falls are one of the major accident types in the home.  This is especially true for babies and toddlers who haven’t learned to anticipate changes in their environment like stairs and throw rugs.  Here are a few tips to prevent a serious fall for the baby or toddler in your home.

Falls On Stairs and From Cribs

One of the worst occurs when a baby falls from his or her crib.  A crib is supposed to be a safe place, but if it has a defect or isn’t properly maintained, a drop-side can slide down and the child falls to the floor.  More than one case has been reported where a side  failed and the baby broke an arm or suffered serious bruises and lacerations.  Larger toys and firm pillows can give the child just enough height to tumble over the rail to the floor below.  In either instance, a baby can be seriously injured.Another target area is a set of stairs.  The only effective way to protect a baby or toddler is to provide child gates at the top or the bottom of the stairs, depending on where you want the child to remain.  This will protect your child from crawling onto the stairs and chancing a fall. 

Add Gates For Real Protection

 The best gate option is a fixed gate where the side mounts are bolted into the wall studs.  If the room configuration doesn’t allow for that arrangement or if you are a grandparent with a visiting grandchild, select a gate that is held in place with side pressure.  These can easily be erected when the grandchild comes and dismantled upon departure.  For raised decks and porches in the summer time, fences and gates can be purchased for full-time or temporary use as well.

There isn’t a toddler on the planet who hasn’t tried to climb to another level by using a chair.   They’re all going to try it sooner or later.  There’s no 100% fool-proof answer here, but keeping chairs away from counters and cribs away from windows can be a good start.  Removing attractive items from countertops will also reduce the attraction to climb onto a counter to get a cookie.  Windows can also be protected by various protective coatings that will prevent the window from breaking if the child falls or pushes against the pane.  Needless to say, a fall from a window can be fatal.

Throw rugs can slide out from under a child in a second knocking them to the floor.  To prevent this from happening, place a  rubber matt under the rug so that it won’t move.  Clean up any food or water spills on the floor immediately.  Be aware of changes in the floor surface which can cause a small child to trip.  These conditions can occur, for example, where carpet ends and a hardwood floor begins.  Smooth floor coverings like tile, stone, linoleum and hardwood may be slippery.  Stone and tile can be treated to create a less slippery surface.  This condition can also be helped by using a cleaner or wax that leaves behind a sparkling non-slip surface.

There are numerous fall potentials for a baby or toddler throughout a home, but a little prior planning can bring peace of mind.  Child gates and fences, window coverings, furniture placement,  crib maintenance and attention to floor surfaces can vastly minimize a child’s fall potentials.    

We invite you to visit us at http://homesafetytipsforkids.com  for more information for baby, toddler and child safety.