With summer in full swing, Alberta health officials are reminding parents to take extra precautions to prevent falls and concussions among young children, especially as falls remain the leading cause of injury-related emergency visits for kids in the province.
In 2022 alone, more than 3,500 children under the age of five were treated in emergency departments or urgent care centres after falling off furniture like beds or chairs. Alarmingly, about 70 per cent of concussion injuries in children are caused by falls.
A concussion is a brain injury that can occur after a blow to the head or body, or anything that causes the brain to move suddenly inside the skull. Symptoms can be hard to spot, particularly in children, and may include persistent headaches, changes in mood or behaviour, or differences in eating and sleeping patterns.
Health officials recommend the following safety tips:
For children under five:
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Always supervise your child in active play.
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Use wall-mounted safety gates at both ends of staircases.
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Install window guards on second-floor windows and higher.
For children aged five to nine:
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Teach safety rules for activities like biking and skateboarding.
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Ensure your child wears a properly fitted helmet for all wheeled activities.
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Use child car seats and booster seats correctly.
If a concussion is suspected, parents are urged to have their child stop all physical activity and consult a healthcare provider. While rest is the primary treatment, gradual return to activity should only begin with medical guidance.
In severe cases, including symptoms like repeated vomiting, seizures, confusion, or weakness, call 911 immediately.
For more information on concussion prevention and care, visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca.
This public safety reminder is shared in collaboration with Acute Care Alberta, a new provincial agency focused on improving emergency and hospital care, and Primary Care Alberta, which aims to enhance access to community-based healthcare services across the province.