Every hour, at least two children end up i the hospital from injuries in their strollers and carriers. That’s according to a study published this week in the journal Academic Pediatrics by researchers from Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
The study found that between 1990 and 2010, a total of 360,937 children (ages 5 and under) were hospitalized after being injured in strollers and carriers
According to the report, falls and tip-overs accounted for most of the injuries. 67% of stroller incidents and 63% of carrier incidents involved falls. 29% of carrier injuries and 16% of stroller injuries were caused by tipping over.
The most common type of injury from falls or tip-overs related to the child’s head or face. Many of these injuries are bumps and bruises. But traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and concussions accounted for 25% of stroller-related injuries and 35% of carrier-related injuries.
And the number of serious injuries rose over the course of the study. The frequency of stroller-related TBIs and concussions doubled from 19% in 1990 to 42% in 2010. The number of carrier-related TBIs and concussions tripled from 18% in 1990 to 53% in 2010.
To combat these injuries, the research center affiliated with Nationwide Children’s Hospital offered these safety recommendations to parents:
– Always buckle up. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for securing children in strollers or carriers.
–Keep handles clear. Avoid placing heavy items over a stroller or carrier handle as they can make the device top-heavy or unstable.
–Make sure it fits your child. Make sure the stroller or carrier you are using is made to carry the weight of your child.
–Lock the wheels. Lock the wheels in the “park” position so the stroller doesn’t roll away. Also, make sure carriers are secure if they interlock with a stroller.
