Because falls are associated with a child's curiosity and development of motor skills, children ages 10 and under are at the greatest risk from fall-related death and injury. In 1995, more than 120 children ages 14 and under died from falls. Children age 4 and under accounted for half of these deaths. Each year, more than 2.5 million children ages 14 and under are treated in hospital emergency rooms for fall-related injuries. Children ages 4 and under account for half of all these injuries.
Infants are at greater risk from falls associated with furniture, stairs and baby walkers.
The majority of falls occur between noon and early evening, the most common playtime for children. Each year, an estimated 27,500 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms for baby walker-related injuries. Nearly all of these injuries occur among children ages 5 to 15 months. Baby walkers account for more injuries than any other nursery product in this age group. Injuries associated with falls down stairs are the most severe.