Common Childhood Injuries

Despite your best child proofing efforts to insure your baby's safety, accidents will happen. Accidents are a part of growing up, but that doesn't make them any easier or any less scary for both babies and parents.

While your baby is still small (under six months old) you need to be aware that injuries can result from the most common everyday actions such as napping in the crib, taking a ride in the car, or taking a bath. Here are some specifics to watch for:

• In the crib - pinched fingers and limbs, suffocation under blankets and pillows

• In the car - car accidents, particularly involving improperly installed car seats

• In the bathtub - burns from bath water, especially if your water heater is set higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

• All around the house - falls from infant seats, high chair and changing tables.

Once your baby is on the move crawling and rolling around, the chance for an accident to happen increases dramatically. Pay close attention to these injury risk areas once your baby hits seven months to one year old:

• High chair and climbing accidents
  
  
• Car accidents, including overheating in a locked car
  
  
• Burns from cigarettes, coffee, electrical cords and sockets
  
  
• Choking on small toys
  
  
• Strangulation by cords and strings - any cord or string longer than 6 inches is dangerous
  
  
• Cuts from sharp edges on toys, breakables, and furniture
  
  
• Walkers, strollers, and ride-on toy accidents

The most common of all of these injuries in the seven months to one-year-old age group is falls from pulling up and learning to walk. When babies start to walk, they seem to take more stumbles than steps. Minor bumps and bruises are an unavoidable part of gaining motor skills and independence. Keep your baby under constant adult supervision and the play area free from stairs, sharp edges, and other potential hazards, and most of these falls will not cause any serious injury.

If your baby is a new walker and takes a tumble, the number one rule is... stay calm and try not to overreact. Babies can sense when mom or dad is worried or scared. Rushing to his side every time he stumbles will wear you out and cause your baby to become overly cautious or quick to cry, whether hurt or not. If your baby sobs and whimpers following a minor tumble, calmly comfort him and encourage him to get back on his feet. More serious tumbles from a high chair, couch, crib, counter top, or taken when running or cruising on a ride-on toy, require a more thorough check, especially if your baby bumps his head or falls on his head or back. Contact your pediatrician or hospital emergency room immediately if you see signs of serious injury.

Some falls can be very serious and for some babies, falling down is just a minor inconvenience to their playtime. They fall down and jump right back up to continue playing. Remember there is no better safety precaution than adult supervision at all times. Many times it isn't enough just to be in the same room when your baby is working on those pulling up and new walking skills. You need to be right there with your baby until pulling up and walking have been mastered.

These lists were compiled from a variety of sources, including Safe and Healthy: A Parent's Guide to Children's Illnesses by William Sears, M.D. (1996); First Aid for Children-Fast by the Johns Hopkins Children's Center (1996); and the National SAFE KIDS Campaign web site. For more information about protecting your baby from injuries you can contact the National SAFE KIDS Campaign at (202)662-0600; or visit their web site at www.safekids.org.