Falls in children

How can falls be prevented?

Infants (under the age of 1)

• Ensure the baby has a safe sleeping environment. For more information,  visit the website of the Public Health Agency of Canada.
• Make sure the infant is buckled into the highchair or stroller.
• Use a safety gate at the top and bottom of stairs.
• When preparing to take the baby for a drive, place the car seat or other carrier on the floor and not on a table or other furniture.
• Make sure furniture is not positioned near windows or balconies.
• When your infant is on a changing table or other high surface, keep at least one hand on the baby.
• Remove small rugs, wires and clutter from the floor and stairs.
• Set aside a safe place for infants to play.
• Keep floors dry by cleaning up spills immediately.
• Place anti-slip mats in bathtubs and showers.
• Do not use baby walkers, which are banned in Canada.

Toddlers (1 to 3 years old)

Around the home

• Be sure the toddler is closely supervised.
• Make sure the toddler is buckled into the highchair or stroller.
• Use a safety gate at the top and bottom of stairs.
• Remove small rugs, wires and clutter from the floor and stairs.
• Make sure furniture is not positioned near windows or balconies.
• When your toddler is on a changing table or other high surface, keep at least one hand on the baby.
• Remove small rugs, wires and clutter from the floor and stairs.
• Set aside a safe place for toddlers to play.
• Keep floors dry by cleaning up spills immediately.
• Consider using corner protectors for tables or the sharp edges of furniture.
• Place anti-slip mats in bathtubs and showers.
• Use proper lighting and nightlights.
• Remove objects that the toddler can climb on while in the crib.
• When your toddler is ready to move from a crib to a bed, place a mattress on the floor at the side of the bed to soften any possible falls.
• If you notice your toddler is tired or unwell, plan some quiet activities.
• Do not use baby walkers, which are banned in Canada.

Outdoors

• Supervision of toddlers at all times is recommended.
• Make sure the toddler is buckled in when in a stroller or shopping cart.
• Install hand rails and barriers on the patio and stairs.
• Before installing a play structure, gather background information that explains the safety standards for these kinds of devices.
• Toddlers must wear a helmet while riding a bicycle or scooter.
• Teach your child playground safety rules.

• Wait your turn.
• Go down the slide feet first.
• Hold onto railings.
• Sit down properly on swings and slides.
• Keep away from a moving swing and from the bottom of a slide.

Older children (4 to 14 years old)

Around the home

• Remove small rugs, wires and clutter from the floor and stairs.
• Keep floors dry by cleaning up spills immediately.
• Place anti-slip mats in bathtubs and showers.
• Use proper lighting and nightlights.

Outdoors

• Install hand rails and barriers on the patio and stairs.
• Before installing a play structure, gather background information that explains the safety standards for these kinds of devices.
• A helmet must be worn while riding a bike, scooter or skateboard.
• Teach your child playground safety rules.

• Wait your turn.
• Go down the slide feet first.
• Hold onto railings.
• Sit down properly on swings and slides.
• Keep away from a moving swing and from the bottom of a slide.

If your child falls

• If the child is unconscious, has trouble breathing or is not breathing at all, call 911 immediately.
• If the child has other symptoms are you are unsure what to do, call Info-Santé at 811.

Resources

•  Institut national de santé publique du Québec: “From TinyTot to Toddler”
•  Parachute: “Falls in children”
•  Public Health Agency of Canada: “Safe Sleep for Your Baby”