As a parent, you get to experience the joys of parenthood. Raising a child can present a few challenges, but the rewards far outweigh the effort and sacrifice, especially when you see your child grow up to be healthy and happy. Having a child in your household can bring a lot of fun and laughter to your life as well; their endless questions, easy laugh, bright smile, and their unconditional trust and love makes all the sleepless nights and other sacrifices all worth it. Young children are also known for having boundless energy and being easily excited which can be both a blessing and a curse. Your children can be inquisitive and try to explore something new which will benefit them in the long run. However, the combination of being energetic and excitable can also make your children prone to falling, slipping, or tripping.
As reported by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), next to the elderly, children between zero to four years old and adolescents between fifteen to nineteen years old are the most at risk to suffer from a head injury caused by a fall. The severity of head injuries can vary depending on the fall’s impact, but one of the most severe outcomes of hitting your head when you fall is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Every year there are almost half a million reports of Traumatic Brain Injury sustained by children fourteen years old and below.
As much as you want to protect your child from every danger there is and not let them go out of their rooms, you can’t stop kids from being kids. As a parent, all you can do is try to lessen the dangers that they may encounter. Here are some tips to avoid slip and fall accidents:
1. Keep your eyes open. – No matter where you go with your children, even if you’re just at home, you must always keep an eye out for anything that can lead to an accident; this is especially true for younger children in your family. Toddlers tend to run off when something catches their attention and infants may start to roll-over when you put them on any surface, so it’s best to keep your eyes peeled.
2. Childproof your home. – It’s best to childproof your home if you have little ones who can move around on their own (crawling, standing, and walking). They could easily get injured by the corners of a table or an easily opened door; low wall sockets can also cause electrocution if your child plays with it. If you have a flight of stairs in your house, it’s also best to install a safety gate to prevent your child from falling down the stairs.
3. Secure fixtures and furniture. – Make sure to check that all your furniture at home is sturdy, especially those that are holding up bulky and heavy items like a TV stand or a bookshelf. You should also consider rearranging your furniture to prevent your child from climbing too high. Make sure that all of your windows and doors are closed and are not easily opened. If you have glass doors, consider adding stickers to your child will not run into them.
4. Bathroom safety. – One of the most dangerous place for a child in your house or any other establishment is the bathroom. Bathroom floors tend to be made of tiles which get slippery when it’s wet. It’s best to keep your bathroom at home dry at all times, so there is less risk of your child slipping. You can also add anti-slip mats and always caution your child to walk slowly when inside the bathroom. When using a bathroom outside of your home, make sure that you accompany your child and try to hold their hand to prevent them from running; this also enables you to pull them up if ever they slip.
Being a parent is a big responsibility, especially when you consider all the things that can be harmful to your child, and even if you do all of your best, sometimes accidents do happen. If your child gets injured in a commercial establishment (like a grocery store or a candy shop) because of negligent behavior, you may be entitled to damages. Contact us at Hogan Injury for expert legal advice.
None of the content on Hoganinjury.com is legal advice nor is it a replacement for advice from a certified lawyer. Please consult a legal professional for further information.
