CHILD SAFETY
Stair injuries for kids younger than age 5 alarmingly high
An analysis in the journal Pediatrics finds that among children younger than age 5 in the United States, one is being rushed to the hospital every six minutes for a stair related injury.
In children under age 1, 25 percent of the injuries occurred while the child was being carried up or down stairs by an adult. These children were three times more likely to be hospitalized. Researchers believe the total number of stair related injuries is actually higher. In many instances, treatment is provided by urgent care centers, private doctors, or not treated at all. These injuries are not included in the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database which is operated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Stair safety:
- Keep stairs free of clutter and in good repair.
- Install handrails if they aren't already in place.
- Use stair gates at both the top and the bottom of the stairs.
- When carrying a child, avoid carrying other items.
- Remember that leaving toys on the staircase creates a hazard.
Fireplace industry moves to address safety issues
Glass doors on fireplaces can reach a broiling hot temperature of 500 degrees and the doors can stay hot long after the gas fireplace has been turned off. That's a painful lesson learned by more than 2,000 children under the age of 5 since 2009.
Toddlers are especially vulnerable to glass fireplace burns and emergency rooms see a parade of these burns every winter. About 11 million U.S. homes have gas fireplaces. Fireplace manufacturers have agreed to voluntarily add screens to the glass doors by January 2015 to prevent serious burns to children. Companies are stepping up production of screens that can be purchased separately long before that time.
They are also trying to get retrofits ready so consumers can get them to protect kids now, says a Consumer Product Safety Commission spokesman. It's a great example of how companies can address safety issues outside of federal rule making.
Gas fireplace safety:
- Supervise children, the elderly, disabled and pets near a fireplace, stove or insert that has been turned off.
- Keep any fireplace remote out of the reach of children.
- Install a switch lock to keep kids from turning on the fireplace.
- Make sure family members know that the glass door can be very hot.
- Be aware that metal surfaces, including door frames and grills, can get very hot.