by Melly Kenny

Created on: March 31, 2009

Preventing babies and toddler from falling situations can be a difficult task. Parents cannot keep an eye on their child twenty four seven, but they can help prevent falls. Sadly babies don't come with a "how to guide" but with patience and proper baby proofing, children can be safe from serious injuries due to falling.

Here are a few tips:

1. As soon as parents find out they are expecting, they should buy all items needed to protect their baby. Gates, door locks and any other item that will help keep their child safe from falls should be purchased.

2. It's best to start preparing for falls and injuries while the baby is young. Some parents don't have time, nor money to baby poof properly by the time their child is rolling over and moving around.

3. Never under any circumstances should a baby be left alone on a change table. Even if the baby cannot roll over or doesn't move much, it only takes a split second. Babies are injured often by falling off change tables. Some injuries from falling off change tables can even lead to death.

4. Baby gates should be installed properly. If parents are unsure if their gate is installed correctly, let someone else do a test. An experienced family member, friend or nurse may help you in this process. The safer the parent is, the safer the baby is!

5. Never use baby walkers, they may seem safe and secure but they aren't. Baby walker-related injuries roughly kills two children a year. That may not seem like a high number, but injuries from walkers happen everyday.

6. Babies should never be left alone on couches, beds or any other high surface without supervision. Surrounding a baby with pillows will not always prevent falls. The best way to stop injuries is by purchasing a bed safety gate. The gate simply attaches to a bed or couch and allows your baby to move around comfortably without falling.

7. Bumper pads should not be used after a baby is able to pull up. Babies can pull themselves up and stand on the bumper pad, this can result major injuries!

8. Taking extra time to properly secure baby carrying equipment is a must. For example: swings, car seats, strollers, high chairs and shopping carts should all be examined properly before use.

9. Secure all unsteady furniture. Bookcases, Television Stands and even certain baby toys can lead to falling injuries.

10. Always wipe up spills quickly. Spills on the floor can lead to harmful falls, even for parents.

No matter how much a parent tries to prevent falls it will still happen, sadly. No one is perfect, it takes time for babies to learn whats safe and whats not. Parents grow along with their children, there is no such thing as a perfect parent. Life is about trial and error and as babies grows so do their parents!

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