While some falls and bumps can be expected as a young child learns to walk, some falls can occasionally result in serious injuries and can even be fatal. Pre-schoolers are more prone to falling due to their curiosity, lack of judgement and/or immature motor skills.

Here are some pointers to help you safeguard your child from falling:

1.  Beware of Heights

  • Do not leave your baby alone on tables, sofas or beds. He/she may roll over and fall.
  • Do not arrange your furniture in a way that makes it easy for your child to climb to a higher level.
  • Consider using bed guards to prevent your child from falling off the bed. Children below the age of seven should not sleep on double-decker beds.
  • Teach the child not to climb on top of any furniture.

​2. Watch Out for Slippery or Uneven Surfaces

  • Use a rubber pad in the bathtub to help prevent slipping.
  • Ensure that floors are free from grease, water or soap by wiping up spills immediately.
  • Use a playpen instead of baby walkers as babies could easily trip and topple over objects on the ground or fall down a flight of stairs.
  • Avoid highly polished floors. Toddlers may slip and fall. Do not let your child walk or run about with his/her socks on.
  • Use non-slip mats and rugs to prevent slipping.

​3. Other Precautions

  • Avoid using sarong cradles as they are not sturdy enough to prevent a baby from falling out and getting seriously hurt.
  • Install sturdy grilles on the windows if you live in a high-rise flat. Lock the grilles and keep the keys out of your child's reach.
  • Ensure that all cabinets and wardrobes are fixed onto the wall to prevent them from toppling over onto the child. 
  • Keep clothes racks in less accessible corners to prevent toppling over. 
  • Do not allow your child to play along the corridors of high-rise flats, as there are no safety grilles to prevent falls.

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