Child climbing stairs

Most falls are not serious, and children continue on their way with a better understanding of what they can or cannot do.

Falls from heights or on to hard surfaces, however, can result in serious injury, disability or death.

Trips and falls

Trips and falls lead to the largest number of non-fatal injuries for children and young people in the UK.

390,000 children under 15 years old were taken to hospital in 2002.*

Boys generally have more trips and falls than girls.

Trips and falls happen most often in the home, and along with strikes (being struck by or colliding with a person or object) they are the most common type of home based injury.**

The most severe fall injuries are falls from a height, e.g. down stairs or from a window or balcony.

The most common types of trips and falls are on the same level, and cause greater injury when the child strikes something on the way down.

Babies and younger children can also be hurt by falling from one level to another, e.g. from a changing table, bed or chair.

* Source: Child Accident Prevention Trust Factsheets www.capt.org.uk/FAQ

**Source: RoSPA 'Child Safety in the Home Manual'