|
|
 |
|
|
Falls are the fourth leading cause of child injury deaths in the European Union and in European countries where hospitalisation and emergency department data is available, we see that falls for children are the leading cause of admissions and emergency visits.
- In 2002 in the United Kingdom for example: falls in the home and garden accounted for nearly half of all home accidental injuries; an estimated 390,800 children under 15 were taken to hospital with injuries resulting from a fall at home; almost 60% of children who went to hospital after falling at home were under five years old; 56% of children under five injured due to falls in the home were boys.
- In Greece falls are a common cause of serious injuries in infants with an estimated 4,400 infant fall injuries annually. One out of ten infants requires hospitalisation, often due to concussions or fractures. More than 36% of these falls involved nursery equipment.
- Falls resulting in severe or fatal injuries are usually due to falls from second story or higher windows, balconies and stairs. The most common type of fall leading to hospitalisation is from one level to another, such as from change tables, stairs, chairs, beds/bunk beds, windows, balconies and playground equipment.
- The majority of falls to a lower level causing injuries among young children are related to manufactured products, such as ordinary household furniture. These fall injuries require medical attention and even admission to hospitals. The majority of the furniture involved in causing a fall is of seemingly insignificant height, such as ordinary beds6, chairs and sofas.
- Baby walkers are also common causes of injuries in young children due to the extra mobility and speed, causing children in walkers to fall down stairs. Efforts have been made to redesign walkers, but all attempts to date still leave a product on the market that is very dangerous to children. Elimination of baby walkers is being promoted as the safest strategy at present.
This information has been taken from the Fact sheet on Falls published by the Alliance in October 2006. This fact sheet including the references to the information above is available here.
|
|
| |
|
|
