Each year, more than 100 children age 14 and younger die, and 2.5 million are treated in emergency rooms for injuries from falls. Among children who die, more than half are younger than 4 years old.

There are many different ways children are injured from falls. They can fall from windows, down stairs, off furniture and from bikes or outdoor play equipment.

Fall-related injuries and deaths often are seasonal. Window falls peak during the spring and summer when people leave their windows open. Children also are outside playing on swing sets, jungle gyms and other playground equipment. Most playground injuries occur when children jump or fall from equipment to hard surfaces below. More than 70 percent of playground-related injuries involve falls to the surface.

Parents and caregivers can prevent falls in the home with supervision and safety products. To prevent falls at home:
•    Never use baby walkers.
•    Never leave young children alone on changing tables, beds, sofas or other furniture.
•    Always strap children into highchairs, swings and strollers.
•    Move chairs, cribs, beds and other furniture away from windows and draperies.
•    Install window guards that can be opened by adults on the first six floors of residential buildings. Install permanent window guards on floors seven and above.
•    Remember that children can fall from windows opened as little as five inches. Never rely on window screens to prevent falls.
•    Never let children play alone on fire escapes, high porches or balconies.
•    Use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs.
•    Keep hallways and stairs well lit and     clear of clutter.
•    Never let kids play on stairs.

To prevent falls at play:
•    Check the surface under playground equipment. Avoid asphalt, concrete, grass and soil surfaces. Safer surfaces include mulch, pea gravel and shredded rubber at least nine to 12 inches deep and extending at least six feet in all directions around equipment. Work with local officials to clean up broken glass and trash to maintain safe playgrounds.
•    Insist children wear their helmets correctly every time they ride their bikes or skates. Only buy helmets that carry a sticker indicating they meet safety standards.
•    Make sure children wear protective gear including helmets, kneepads, elbow pads and wrist guards while inline skating or skateboarding. Skaters should take lessons, avoid skating at night and skate on smooth, paved surfaces free of motor vehicles.

Bridget Clementi is executive director of Children’s Health Education Center, CHEC is the lead agency of Safe Kids Wisconsin and Safe Kids Southeast Wisconsin coalitions. Each offer resources and programs for children, parents, teachers and caregivers to help keep children healthy and safe. Safe Kids Wisconsin and Southeast Wisconsin specifically work to prevent childhood accidental injuries, the leading cause of death among children ages 14 and younger.


FAST FACT: In 2007, more than 2,600 children ages 1 to 12 were treated in the emergency department at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin for injuries they received from a fall.