“Furniture, such as beds, couches and tables, can be dangerous places for a baby or child, as they might get hurt if they fall”, said an ER24 spokesperson.
It is essential to be vigilant and consider safety aspects at all times when looking after a child.
The risk of children or babies falling off something is quite high as they do not have fully developed coordination or balance just yet, compared to adults and adolescents.
Dayne Olsen, an emergency care practitioner (ECP) at the ER24 Vaal branch, recently responded to an incident where a baby fell from a height at a home in Sebokeng in the south of Gauteng.
“It happens quite often that young children fall off something. Even if you as a parent or a supervising adult think you’re just quickly going to reach for this or quickly going to do this, an accident can still happen. Please don’t leave your children unattended for even a second. Not in a high chair or even on the bed, as they can roll or fall off the bed,” said Dayne.
According to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, the injuries a child may incur in such a fall depend on the seriousness of the fall, and can be influenced by three important factors:
• The height the child can fall from
• What the child falls onto
• What the child may hit as he/ she falls
General safety tips when caring for a child:
• Parents, caregivers, and domestic workers should be proficient in CPR and basic first aid.
• Keep a comprehensive first-aid kit at home.
• If your child has experienced a fall, examine him/ her for injuries and take him/ her to a clinic or your general practitioner if you have any concerns or notice any change in his/ her behaviour.
• Have a detailed list of emergency numbers on the fridge and next to the phone. Save ER24’s emergency number, 084 124, on your phone.
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