• Home
  • Falls: Keeping Babies and Young Children Safe

Falls: Keeping Babies and Young Children Safe


There is so much to think about as the parent of a young child, and their safety is often at the top of the list. Minor injuries such as scrapes and bruises are common as children grow, develop and learn to use their bodies in coordinated and effective ways. Unfortunately, more serious injuries can sometimes occur. According to local statistics, most young children who end up in the Emergency Department were injured due to falls that could have been prevented.

How to protect babies and young children from falls

Active supervision is always the most important strategy for keeping children safe. Young children are unpredictable and often do not understand the potential dangers around them. One of our roles as parents and caregivers is to provide safe environments for them to play and grow, as well as to help them develop physical and other skills so that in the future, they can meet new challenges.

Safety tips:

  • While changing a baby on a raised surface such as a change table or a bed, always keep one hand on them. Take them with you if you forget something.
  • Use Health Canada approved safety equipment when you are unable to supervise closely. Make sure you follow any directions and do not forget to register your items so you can be notified of any future recalls.
    • Install safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs. The wall-mounted style is safest, especially at the top of the stairs.
    • Always secure the harnesses provided when you are placing your baby/child in a car seat, swing, stroller or highchair.
    • When using items such as carriers, bouncy seats or car seats (outside of the car) with your baby, always place them on the floor instead of a table.  Wiggly babies can cause the carrier to move right off the edge of a high surface!
  • For windows or balcony doors, use stops, guards or locks and keep all furniture away to prevent little climbers from accessing windows or door handles.1

 

For more tips about keeping your baby or young child safe, see https://www.healthunit.com/child-safety  and The Home Safety Checklist. 

Do you have questions about yourself or your baby? Call 519-663-5317 and ask to speak to the phone nurse at the Middlesex-London Health Unit.

 

Submitted by Heather Bywaters, Public Health Nurse, Middlesex-London Health Unit

  1. Parachute Canada. (2022). Falls in children. Retrieved from https://www.parachutecanada.org/en/injury-topic/fall-prevention-for-children/
  2. Health Canada. (2016). Is your child safe? Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety/reports-publications/consumer-education/your-child-safe/is-your-child-safe.html

 

Questions? Comments? Contact us today!

Subscribe to our Newsletter!

News Letter