As a cause of unintentional deaths, falls are outranked only by deaths due to motor vehicle injuries. Falls account for 40% of all the unintentional deaths in Canadian homes.

Falls are responsible for a great deal of pain and suffering. Falls can happen anywhere: from heights as low as the kitchen counter or as great as from a high rise apartment. The results range from minor discomforts such as a skinned knee, to injuries that may be devastating, or even life threatening. For instance, a fall could result in paralysis from the neck down. That sort of injury could hospitalize your child for the rest of their lives.

• Don’t leave a child unattended on a change table. Most change tables have a safety belt on them. These belts are intended only to restrain an active infant while you are standing next to them. Do not think because the belt is attached you can leave your child unattended.

• Balcony doors should be locked to prevent children from going out alone. Fit balcony railings with guards to prevent a child from squeezing through the rungs or climbing over the top of the railing. A child could squeeze through railings head first which can result in a disastrous fall; or he can go through feet first, and get his head caught between the rails. This could result in strangulation. Even small children can climb onto balcony furniture, window boxes, or barbecues, and fall over the railing. Railing guards may be purchased from any store that carries child safety products.

• Children have fallen through windows that have been opened as little as 13 cm (5 inches). Check the elevated windows to make sure they cannot be opened wide enough for a child to crawl through. Don’t leave furniture or other things that a child can climb close to a window. Use window locks; most window and sliding glass door locks can be adjusted to permit ventilation.

• Don’t rely on window screens to prevent falls; they are often not securely mounted in the window frame, and a child may push out the screen or break through the screen material. Install proper window guards.