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CHILD ACCIDENT PREVENTION FOUNDATION OF VICTORIA
ACN 008 545 382

FACT SHEET

FALLS

Falls are the most common cause of injury to children. Every day 2000 children need medical care because of a fall. Falls can be very serious. The most common injuries are injuries to the head and to hands and arms.

WHERE DO FALLS TAKE PLACE?

• 75% of falls for children under 5 happen at home.

• 66% of falls for children aged 5 to 14 happen away from home; commonly at school, roads and footpaths and in areas of sport.

  HOW ARE CHILDREN INJURED?

  Children under five

• furniture (particularly beds and chairs),
• nursery equipment ,
• steps and stairs, and
• bicycles.

  Children 5 - 14 years

• sport,
• play equipment (particularly monkey bars),
• bicycles, and
• skateboards or rollerblades.

  WHAT CAN YOU DO?

  By taking some simple steps many of these accidents can be prevented.

  For children under 5

• Use door gates and stair barriers to keep toddlers away from dangerous areas.

• Don't use baby walkers. They are particularly dangerous near steps stairs and changes in level.

• Use a harness on children in prams, strollers, high chairs, supermarket trolleys and change tables. An H shaped harness is more effective than a lap-crotch restraint.

  For older children

• Use an impact absorbing surface such as shredded bark, under climbing in schools, playgrounds and homes. This should be maintained to a depth of 400 mm.

• Install play equipment with vertical guard rails, not horizantal ones.

• Insist that your child wears a helmet when bike riding, horse riding or skateboard riding - even on private property.

• Skateboarders, roller bladers and roller skaters should wear elbow and knee pads.

  For all ages

• Make sure bunk beds have guard rails and a fixed ladder.

• Don't allow wheeled toys to be used on uneven surfaces.

• Check up on training or coaching for safe cycling and sport.

• Repair worn flooring, use non-slip surfaces where possible.

  CHILD SAFETY IS NO ACCIDENT.