Falls are the leading cause of hospitalisation for children. They are naturally inquisitive but do not have the skills to identify hazardous objects and behaviours. However, choosing and securing furniture carefully, keep dangerous objects and areas out of reach and out of sight and restrict knocks to the head during sport and play can prevent trauma and hospitilisation for children.
When dealing with hazards remember that:
Never depend on telling children not to do something.
Folding mechanisms in furniture and appliances can jam or trap fingers. Choose options that can’t be easily operated by children and that don’t fold up suddenly.
Check the gaps between the railings of gates, fences, banisters and cots to ensure that they are no greater than 10cm wide to prevent children from becoming trapped of falling through.
Make sure that automatic garage doors have a device fitted to stop them when an object is touched while closing. The switch should be out of reach of children.
Drawers and cupboards that can be reached by children should be fitted with child-restraint or child-proof latches to prevent access and finger jams.
Fit a safety gate to the bottom and top of the stairs to prevent children from gaining access. Pressure mounted gates are not suitable as they are not strong or stable enough. Ensure all stairwells have a hand rail and side guards.
Use high storage areas for items that pose the greatest danger to children. Low storage areas (e.g., under the kitchen sink, drawers) can be used for items that pose less of a risk.
Store lawn mowers, garden equipment, power tools and other equipment out of reach of children.
Keep surfaces such as kitchens and workshop benches clear and return items to their storage space immediately after use.
When toddlers and children use heavy items (such as televisions and cupboards) to stand up or climb on they can pull the furniture on top of themselves.
Mark sure that:
The number one cause of hospitalisation from falls in children under 12 months of age involve a bed. Bed sharing makes it difficult to apply self sleeping guidelines, and babies can be injured by rolling out of bed or when adults roll on top of them.
Where possible use trundle beds and other systems instead of bunk beds. If a bunk bed is the only option, try choose one that is built to the Australian Standard and do not allow young children on the top bunk.
Do not leave children unattended on the change table, even to just turn away. Have everything you will need next to the change table and within reach. Use any safety straps provided, but even when using these stay within arms reach.
Children are frequently injured by trying to climb out of cots and falling, often head first. Be wary of objects in and near the cot that can be used as steps or that can help children climb.
Most injuries in highchairs are caused by children standing up or tying to climb out. Choose a highchair with a full 5-point harness and adjust the harness firmly each time you use the highchair. Do not leave them unattended.
Where possible, keep nursery furniture such as highchairs, cots and change tables away from other furniture, to prevent children using these to push the furniture over or climb out. This includes keeping highchairs far enough away from the table to prevent toppling.
Ensure that you use and adjust the 5-point safety harness in your pram or stroller every time you use it. Make sure you use pram brakes when stoped, keep a hand on the pram at all times and use the safety tether strap on the handle of your pram.
Children are more suseptible to head trauma due to having weaker neck muscles, developing brains and lower motor control.
Head gear can reduce lacerations and bone fractures, but not a brain injury from the movement of the bump/head knock (rotation and linear force).
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a degenerative brain disease that currently can only be diagnosed at death. CTE is from repetitive head impacts (RHI); sub-concussive impact from minor direct or indirect hits. There is significant evidence that RHI can lead to devastating lifelong harm. This includes memory loss, confusion, anxiety, depression, impulsivity, suicidality, substance abuse and progressive dementia. For more information, look into Synapse and the Concussion Legacy Foundation.
How to prevent head trauma, concussions and CTE?
– Where possible, play low or no contact versions of sports that otherwise includes collisions, combat and/or contact.
– Reduce the number and strength of head knocks by eliminating unnecessary risks at training and in games.
