Nursery Product-Related Injuries are Rising in Young Children

A new study published online in the journal Pediatrics finds injuries to young children associated with nursery products happen at an alarming rate and the problem is on the rise. 

In fact, nursery products, such as cribs and baby carriers, are recalled more than any other children’s product category. The study conducted by researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital <http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/>  looked at nursery product-related injuries treated in hospital emergency departments across the U.S. over a 21-year period.

The findings include:

• In the last eight years of the study, injuries increased almost 25 percent, and most of them were concussions or other head injuries, which can be very serious in young children.
• More than 66,000 children under the age of three are treated for injuries related to nursery products each year. That’s an average of about one child every eight minutes.
• Eighty percent of the injuries were caused by a child falling, and injuries were most commonly associated with baby carriers, followed closely by cribs/mattresses, and strollers.

Tracy Mehan, M.A <http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/injury-research-and-policy>  at Nationwide Children’s Hospital <http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/> , recommends parents follow the four “Rs” to reduce the risk of injury to their child. “Before bringing any of these items into your home, research them, check for recalls, register your products, and read the manuals,” said Mehan.

Courtesy: Nationwide Children’s Hospital