Five children a day treated for baby gate-related injuries
A new study found about five children a day are treated for baby gate-related injuries. Credit: Nationwide Children's Hospital
Baby gates used incorrectly can lead to injury, according to a new study. In fact, baby gate-related injuries nearly quadrupled since 1990.
Researchers from the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, found that from 1990 through 2010, emergency departments in the United States treated an estimated 37,673 children younger than 7 years old for baby gate-related injuries. That's an average of 1,794 per year, or about five injured children per day, according to the hospital's news release.
The study also found more than 60 percent of the children injured were younger than 2, and they were most often injured by falls down stairs after a gate collapsed or when it was left open. Children ages 2-6 were most often injured by contact with the gate itself after climbing on it, which can lead to cuts.
Researchers recommend choosing the right type of gate for the space where you are planning to use it. For example, pressure-mounted gates should only be used as room dividers or at the bottom of the stairs because those kinds of gates are not designed to withstand much force and will not prevent a fall down stairs. Also, only use gates that have hardware which needs to be screwed into the wall or railing for the top of the stairs so it will be strong enough to prevent a child from falling down the stairs.
If you have children between 6 months and 2 years old, be sure to properly install gates. Researchers also suggest removing the gates when your child turns 2, if possible, or when your child has learned to open the gate or climb over it. If you have younger children and can't remove the gates, be sure to choose one without notches or gaps that could be used for climbing.
