Falls Prevention
Injuries relating to FALLS
While many falls cause only minor injuries, some falls are serious
enough to require admission to hospital. Children will always experience
bumps and bruises, but it is the more serious preventable injuries
that Kidsafe would like to make you aware of.
Remember, parental supervision is the key to child
safety.
The following information has been provided as an example of falls
issues, to allow you to make informed choices about preventing a potential
incident occurring to your baby or child.
FALLS IN THE HOME
Some of examples of potential falls areas include:
Nursery
Many areas within a nursery are a concern for potential falls. These
include change tables, high chairs, baby walkers, nursery cots, prams
and baths. For more information about these aspects see the nursery
section.
Safety Gates
Falls are still the highest cause of injury for children under five
years of age. This is because young children are still establishing
the skills to determine dangers not just in their homes, but in all
environments.
Safety gates are an essential preventative choice for families with
small children and can be utilised in areas such as stairs, hallways
and entrances (for more information about fittings see Product
Design - Fittings).
Fittings
Houses are essentially built to provide for the ease and comfort of
the adult life style, not for the developing skills and fragile bodies
of our growing babies.
Many features of a home have been identified as other areas of potential
fall hazards for children within their home.
Some of examples of potential falls areas include furniture (for
more information click here), glass, surfaces, floors, balustrades, and water
features (for more information click here).
FALLS IN THE BACKYARD
Kids On Wheels
These popular wheeled presents, for example, tricycles, bicycles,
skateboards, in-line skates, roller blades and scooters can all cause serious injuries to children.
With regard to wheeled vehicles, it is important that children learn
to use the products under adult supervision in safe environments,
particularly learning to stop and to steer. This means practicing
in areas away from uneven surfaces, slopes and other users.
Parent's guidance is essential especially on explaining how important
it is for their child to maintain the product in good working order
and with the continuous positive reinforcement by the parent for the
child to use their safety equipment and play within safe environments.
Road authorities advise that child users of all wheeled toys should
be accompanied by an adult until age 9 or 10 depending on the child's
individual development and road environment experience.
For further information visit the following websites:
NRMA
Roads and Traffic Authority
Motor Accidents Authority
NSW Office of Fair Trading
Trampolines
Many Australian homes have recreational backyard trampolines, with
parents having little knowledge of their associated dangers.
Most trampoline-related injuries occur in the home backyard.
Trampolines should be considered as sport or gymnasium equipment
rather than viewed as play equipment and should be installed using
the appropriate guidelines for safe fall zones and installation. Always
supervise children when they are using trampolines and when they have
access to this equipment.
For further information…
Playground
Advisory Unit - Fact Sheet titled Trampolines
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
