CCLD 302

Outcome: 302.3
Handout - Common Injuries in Young Children

The most common injuries to young children are:

INJURY AGE / STAGE REASONS PREVENTION

Babies can not
Birth up to
remove or push Never use duvets or pillows for
Suffocation approximately 6
items from their children under 1 year of age.
months of age
face

Placing plastic Place all plastic bags out of the reach of

Suffocation 1 Year upwards bags over their children or immediately rip up and
head dispose of.

Never leave a baby propped up to bottle

Left alone whilst feed its self even for a few seconds or
Chocking Birth to 1 year
feeding / eating whilst eating as a baby cannot deal with
a large volume of fluid.

Small objects Never leave babies young children alone

with small objects.
Choking All ages sweets, Avoid peanuts in young children (approx
peanuts 6 years) as the oil in the nut can cause
the bronchial tubes to swell.

Never leave baby /toddler on high

Falling
surface.
Cuts and Ensure safety gates are placed in
All ages
Bruises appropriate positions.
Running
From an early age teach children to walk
instead of running.

Sun burn Use sun cream. Wear appropriate

clothing.
Hot drinks Keep all hot drinks away from young
Burns and children.
All ages
Scalds Boiling water Do not allow children in kitchen whilst
cooking.
Bath water too Always check bath water before
hot emerging child into bath.

MACTAC © 2007
 INJURY AGE / STAGE REASONS PREVENTION
Never leave a baby child alone in the
bath supervision at all times.
Bath Water
Adult supervision
Drowning All ages Teach children to swim from an early
Ponds, lakes,
age.
rivers.
Teach children young person to use
safety equipment where required.
In sufficient
Ensure all children have appropriate
restraint in cars
seating and restraints.
whilst travelling
Car (New Law Sept 06
All ages Crossing the
accidents Teach road safety from an early age.
road
Never allow children under the age of 5
Riding a bike
years on the road alone.

MACTAC © 2007