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Falls and Injuries in Babies

It's not long before babies start to roll over, meaning they are a risk of injury from rolling off beds, sofas and changing tables.

Here are some things you can do to stop your baby being injured:

  • If you can change your baby's nappy on the floor using a changing mat
  • Never leave your baby unattended as they can easily roll off sofas, changing tables and beds.
  • Never put baby car seats or cradles on top of sofas, tables, or worktops, put them on the floor as baby's wriggling could tip it over the edge.
  • While carrying your baby up and down stairs always hold the handrail in case your trip. Also make sure the stairs are free from trip hazards.
  • When purchasing a walker, check it complies with British Standard BS EN 1273:2005.
  • Watch where you are walking while you are carrying your baby, it's easy to trip over things like a toy.
  • Always use a 5-point harness when your child is in their highchair or pushchair.

Crawling babies

When your baby starts to crawl they will start to try to climb up and on to furniture like sofas, coffee tables which increases the risk of failing.

Some tips on preventing injury with crawling babies:

  • Fit safety gates at top and bottom of the stairs and make sure you close the gates properly behind you.
  • Cover the gap between your banister or balcony railings are more then 6.5cm (2.5 inches) wide, cover them with safety netting or boards.
  • If you have any low furniture, keep these away from windows and make sure they are fitted with locks or safety catches.
  • Remove any toys and cot bumpers from the cot as your baby can climb on them and climb out of the cot.

Toddlers

When babies start to gain their balance and start walking, they are unsteady on their feet and tend to trip and fall.

Here are some injury prevention tips for parents of toddlers:

  • Use safety gates at the top and the bottom of the stairs until your infant is at child 2 years old.
  • Start to show and teach your child how to use stairs but never let them use them on their own, always assist them.
  • Make sure child is a least 6 years of age before they sleep on the top bunk bed as any younger they can fall out.
  • If you have any low furniture, keep these away from windows and make sure they are fitted with locks or safety catches.
  • Always use a 5-point harness when your child is in their highchair or pushchair.
  • Always keep scissors, knives and sharp objects out of reach of children.
  • To stop your child's fingers getting trapped in doors, special devices can prevent this from happening. Remember to to close doors at night in case of fire.
  • Use corner protectors on any furniture with sharp corners to prevent your child hurting themselves.

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