HOME SAFETY

Falls Prevention & Window Safety

Unintentional falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries for children in the United States. In 2013, unintentional falls resulted in nearly 3 million injuries requiring treatment in an emergency room. Falls are the number one contributor to traumatic brain injury in children ages 0-14. In particular, windows can be a source of high risk for dangerous falls, as well as unsecured stairs.

From the moment a baby starts to crawl, the world is a new adventure and they are on the move. From a child’s perspective, everything is interesting and they will try to reach everything in sight. Little bumps and bruises will happen along the way, but preventing a dangerous injury will require some preparation. We recommend installing all safety devices before your little one is on the move!

Safety Tips

Install window guards and stops: Screens are meant to keeps bug out, not children in. Properly install window guards to prevent unintentional injuries. For windows above the first floor, include an emergency release device in case of fire.
Open windows from the top and close and lock after use.
Keep kids from climbing near windows.
Secure babies and young children in high chairs, infant carriers, swings and strollers. Make it a habit starting at birth.
Wear protective gear when playing sports or doing any wheeled sports.
Use playgrounds with shock absorbing materials (mulch, shredded rubber, pebbles) and avoid playgrounds on asphalt or concrete surfaces.
Never leave a child alone in a shopping cart and use a harness or safety belt. Infant car seats should be placed in the basket of the shopping cart and never on top of the child seat of the shopping cart.
Install hardware safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs and declutter any stairs to prevent falls. Actively supervise toddlers on the stairs and guide them to success. Stairs should be well lit.
Consider anti-slip rugs for floors and shower mats or decals in the bathtub.
Secure all televisions and furniture to the wall using mounts, brackets, anchors or wall straps to prevent tip-overs.