Preventing falls for babies and children

Each year, thousands of children in Australia need hospital treatment for accidental injuries, including falls and other trauma. Falls are the most common reason for children to be injured and need to go to hospital. Fortunately, most falls are not serious and lead to bumps and bruises.

Even from birth, babies can fall and hurt themselves. Especially when they are learning to walk. Until your baby develops balance skills, they're at risk of tripping, stumbling and falling.

The most common type of falls in babies and young children involve:

• playground equipment
• slipping, tripping and stumbling on the same level
• highchairs or other chairs

Young children often fall when they are trying to climb into, or out of their chair.

Fractured (broken) bones, cuts, lacerations, bruises, swelling and soreness are the most common types of injuries when a child falls.

The type of injuries sustained from falls depends on 3 factors:

1. The height they fall from — the lower the height, the lower the danger. Avoid letting children aged under 5 years climb to heights over 1.5 metres.
2. What the child falls onto — hard surfaces like concrete, tiles and even compacted sand are more dangerous than soft surfaces.
3. What the child might hit as they fall — landing on furniture with sharp edges, like glass, can cause serious injuries.

Toddlers can be curious and active and want to explore their environment. However, they don't have enough understanding of the world to know what is safe. This is why it's important to always watch your baby or young child closely.

To help protect your baby from hazards:

• get down on the floor at your toddler's level and look at things from their perspective
• remove trip hazards on the floor, including rugs without anti-skid mats, and electrical cords
• make sure they can't climb onto furniture and high places
• secure heavy furniture, like televisions, bookcases, dressers and other items that they can climb up and onto
• cover sharp edges on table corners and benches
• make sure your child can't fall from a window or balcony — lock windows and doors or use guards to lock them open with only a small gap
• don't assume playground equipment is safe — do your own checks and always stay close-by when your child is climbing and playing
• use safety gates at the top of stairs and into rooms that can be dangerous, like the kitchen and bathrooms
• keep their cot free from anything that could be 'stacked' to prevent the toddler from climbing out of their cot

You can reduce the chance of injuries from falls:

• Don't carry your baby around in a rocker or bouncer chair. Make 2 trips if you need to and carry your baby and the rocker or chair separately.
• Always place your baby's rocker or bouncer chair on the floor when they are using it.
• Don't use a baby walker — these can move quickly and young babies don't have the skills to control where it goes.
• Always use a 5- point safety harness when your baby is in their highchair, pram or stroller.
• Use the pram brake correctly and avoid placing heavy bags onto the pram handles.
• Mop up water and other liquid spills on the ground to avoid slipping over.
• Always raise the cot sides when your baby is in their cot.

Apply first aid if your baby or child has been involved in an accident or fallen.

Check for any injuries and seek medical help if you're worried at all.

You can take your child to see your child health nurse or doctor for a check-up if they have had a fall.

Most children recover well after a fall.

Your baby should see a doctor as soon as possible if you think they have:

• a head injury or concussion
• a broken bone
• pain
• a lot of bleeding

If your child has a cut or graze that does not stop bleeding, or is very deep, they may need to have stitches.

The doctor may also check that your child's vaccinations are up to date.

Visit the local children's hospital emergency department or an urgent care clinic for help if you are worried about your child after a fall or injury.

When should I call an ambulance?

Call 000 for an ambulance straight away if your baby or child:

• has been in a high speed accident such as a bicycle or car crash
• has hit their head after falling from a height of one metre or more
• loses consciousness (passes out)
• seems unwell and vomits more than once after hitting their head
• has a seizure

It can be helpful to learn first-aid so you know what to do in case of an emergency. Check courses available in your own state or territory.

Languages other than English

The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne has translated resources about head injury and preventing falls.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has information about how to keep bub safe.