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What? More kids are taken to the ER for slips, trips and falls than other injuries

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Children on playground

Don’t you wish you had a child’s energy? It seems kids are always running, jumping, climbing and just being silly. That’s why falls are the leading cause of injuries to Florida children that require emergency room visits.

More than 80,000 kids younger than 10 are taken to Florida emergency rooms for falls in a year.

Here are some simple tips from Safe Kids Worldwide to help protect your child from falls that could lead to serious injuries:

WINDOWS

  • Screens are meant to keep bugs outside, not children inside. Properly install window guards to prevent unintentional window falls. For windows above the first floor, include an emergency release device in case of fire.
  • Install window stops that prevent windows from opening more than 4 inches.
  • Keep windows locked and closed when they aren’t being used.
  • Move furniture and toys away from windows.
  • Never move a child who appears to be seriously injured after a fall.

FOR BABIES

  • Keep babies and young kids strapped in when using high chairs, infant carriers, swings or strollers.
  • If your baby is in a carrier, don’t place it on a raised surface. Keep it on the floor.
  • If you use a baby walker, be extra careful because walkers can roll down stairs or help children reach objects.

STAIRS/BALCONIES

  • Use approved safety gates at the tops and bottoms of stairs and attach them to the wall, if possible. Remember to read the manufacturer’s instructions and warning labels to make sure you have the right gate for your needs. Not all gates are safe for use at the top of stairs.
  • Don’t let children play on high porches, decks, stairs or balconies. If they must be there, make sure they are supervised.

PLAYGROUNDS

  • Take your kids to playgrounds with shock-absorbing surfaces such as rubber, synthetic turf, sand, pea gravel, wood chips or mulch. If your child falls, the landing will be more cushioned than on asphalt, concrete, grass or dirt.

SOURCE:

 

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Related resources

    • Health

    Palm Beach County Medical Society

    List of local hospitals

    561-433-3940 Website
    • Parenting
    • Safety

    Safe Kids Palm Beach County

    Local child safety information and assistance, including car seat installation, bike helmet fitting, poisoning prevention, TV tip-over prevention and more

    561-841-3500 ext. 4011 Website
    • Parenting
    • Safety

    Safe Kids Worldwide

    National resources to protect children from preventable injuries

    202-662-0600 Website
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    • Things to do

    Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation Department

    Manages 104 park properties spanning more than 8,500 acres, including 85 developed regional, district, community, beach and neighborhood parks

    561-966-6600 Website