what should you do if child falls down stairs?

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Wendy Wisner is a lactation consultant and writer covering maternal/child health, parenting, general health and wellness, and mental health. Physiological (anticipated). In a 2017 study written in The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, it was found that every year, there is an average of over one million injuries that come as a result of falling down the stairs. http://ehstoday.com/ppe/fall-protection/ehs_imp_75425, http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/safety_haz/stairs_fallprevention.html, http://www.everydayhealth.com/longevity/future-planning/prevent-falls-at-home.aspx. Last medically reviewed on March 1, 2021. How long should you keep a child awake after they hit their head? This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. (2016). These falls are usually only 1 to 2 feet high, and almost never result in any significant injury, even if onto a hard floor. If your child has a very minor cut on the face or scalp, gently clean it with mild soap and warm water and put a bandage on it (ask the doctor if you should apply an antiseptic first). You can let your child go to sleep if it's naptime or bedtime, but check on them every two to three hours to make sure everything is OK. Its exciting watching your child learn to walk but like any skill it requires practice. To learn more, please visit our. Medical alert devices can give real-time security for active older people and independent folks with medical conditions. At the bottom of the handrail, the handrail should extend at least the length of one stair. worry? New York State Department of Health. Smart speakers, like Siri and Alexa, that respond to voice commands can be programmed to call 911 when instructed, or call neighbors or family members. If your child loses consciousness or exhibits any symptoms commonly associated with a concussion following a collision, IMMEDIATELY remove the child from play and call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Make a habit of wearing shoes with good treads when youre up and down, and avoid clothing that drags on the floor. If your baby is showing signs of a seizure, you also should not pick them up. If your child isn't vomiting and doesn't have any of the symptoms above: Comfort your child and look for any injuries. The first thing you can do is pick your baby up and console them. Doctors receive calls all the time about baby falls, and will not judge you when you share what happened. Anytime your kiddo falls down, be sure to take time to assess their injuries. Repeat this step until your puppy can go up and down a few steps with no insecurities. Most falls are not serious. If your kid does fall and bump their head, but is alert and responds to you, watch them carefully for the next 36 to 48 hours to see if any symptoms develop that could indicate a head injury. A critical review of the long-term disability outcomes following hip fracture. Treatment for other toddler head injuries depends on the location of the injury, the severity, your child's symptoms and her age. You should also try to get to a safe, comfortable space to wait for help. Blurry vision, double vision or pupils of unequal size. You can also wear a medical alert button on your wrist or around your neck. a dent or bulging soft spot on the skull. Very irritable, confused or other abnormal behavior. How do eyes look when you have a concussion? Some of the most common causes of these injuries include kids falling off playground equipment or trampolines, falling down stairs, or falling off a bed or another piece of furniture. Everybody can respond differently particularly young children so concussions can be a little tricky to diagnose. Never use a pressure gate to block a stairway, as it will not be secure. Don't place loose rugs at the top or bottom of stairs. he is acting and eating normal. wont awaken easily. Check the patients breathing, pulse, and blood pressure. Child falls from a height greater than 3 feet, such as a countertop, high chair, changing table, or table can result in injury, especially if onto a hard floor. It would depend on how the child landed and what they hit in falling. Anytime your kiddo falls down, be sure to take time to assess their injuries. Do let them. I've seen teeth become non-vital ten years after being traumatized. And older kids can play a little too hard and take a spill. Usual symptoms to be aware of that need immediate medical attention are change in behavior, vomiting, not stopping crying These injuries can be more complex and may require expert care from several different pediatric trauma specialists. For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care. Call 911 for emergency help and do not move your child if they: If your child isn't vomiting and doesn't have any of the symptoms above: Note: All information on KidsHealth is for educational purposes only. However, if anything seems off to you, even if there are not obvious signs of a concussion or other brain injury, you should not hesitate to contact your doctor again or head to urgent care. my other teeth nerves still fine.will they remain ok? However, if your child falls from a high place such as a high chair, tabletop, countertop, or changing table onto a hard floor, AND you know baby hit head first, you should probably go straight to an ER without even contacting your doctor. - Martha's Breast Cancer Story. Managing a Child's Fever at Night: When to Check Their Temp and More. How do I know if my toddler hits his head too hard? Injury to more than one body part occurred in only 2.7% of patients. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. After a fall, if you experience any of the following symptoms, contact a doctor soon as they could indicate internal injuries, concussion or spine or nerve damage: Falls can often be prevented by fall-proofing your home and taking extra measures when climbing up and down stairs. Parents and caregivers should minimize the use of stairs while carrying a child. Move chairs, cribs, beds, and other furniture away from windows to prevent children from climbing onto sills. Take simple painkillers such as paracetamol for any headache. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. She has worked with breastfeeding parents for over a decade, and is a mom to two boys. In most cases, residential and commercial property owners have a duty to remove ice and snow from steps within a reasonable amount of time. My 2.5 year old fell down some wood stairs. In the majority of cases, if your baby falls, but cries right away, isnt bleeding, isnt showing obvious signs of injury, and is consoled once you pick them up, you are not dealing with an emergency situation. The reason why is that babies skulls and bones are more fragile than older children, and babies are more prone to injury from falls. Gently check them over, paying close attention to their head for bumps, bruises, or other injuries. How do I know if my baby has hurt after a fall? Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain if your child is alert. trademark of Sutter Health , Reg. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Running on or skipping steps creates the opportunity for an accident. pain moves to front stomach/waist area. The age of highest risk for the natural locomotion group was 12 mo. Childhood Falls. Other ways to improve child stair safety include: Keep stairs well-maintained and free of objects. should i see someone? . We recommend taking the following steps to take stock of the situation: When a child falls, head, neck, back or spine injuries, and broken bones are among the most common kid injuries that need special care. What happens to your body when you fall down the stairs? Babies can climb up the gate at the top of the steps and fall from an even greater height. How long after a head injury does vomiting occur? Although sleeping after a concussion is considered safe, it is more difficult to assess a persons symptoms when they are asleep. Call your health care provider right away if your child had a head injury and: Watch your child closely during the first 2 hours after the injury. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Nausea or vomiting. A constant headache, especially if it gets worse. The other side of the gate will be attached to the stair banister. Forty-one per cent of the deaths occurred from "minor" falls such as falls from furniture or while playing; 50% were falls from a height of one story or greater; the remainder were falls down stairs.