Traumatic Head Injuries Caused By Baby Strollers Are On The Rise

A new study published online in the journal of Academic Pediatrics has revealed some very alarming information about baby strollers and carriers.

Although parents use strollers and carriages to transport young children while keeping them safe and secure, many are doing just the opposite and injuries are on the rise.

According to the study, more than 17,000 injuries a year were reported from 1990 to 2010.  Of the 360,000 children ages 5 or younger who went to the ER for stroller- or carrier-related injuries, Live Science shared that most were the result of a stroller tipping over. They also found a parallel rise in concussions and traumatic brain injuries.

“The majority of injuries we saw were head injuries, which is scary considering the fact that traumatic brain injuries and concussions in young children may have long-term consequences on cognitive development.”

EurekAlert reported that researchers recommend these tips to help prevent injuries from strollers and carriers:

• Always buckle up. Follow all manufacturer’s instructions for properly securing children in strollers or carriers. Make sure your child is seated and buckled in at all times.
• Keep handles clear. Hanging heavy items like purses and bags on the handle of strollers can cause them to tip over. Store these items under the stroller or on your shoulder. If getting a new stroller, look for one with a wide wheel base that will be harder to tip over.
• Get a model that fits your child. Strollers and carriers are not one-size fits all. Both strollers and carriers have age and weight limits. Make sure to get one that is the right size for your child and follow all manufacturer’s guidelines for use.
• Lock it. Lock stroller wheels when you “park” to prevent it from rolling away unexpectedly. Be careful using a stroller near a curb and in high traffic areas where sidewalks are not available.
• Keep it low. Keep carriers low to the ground so the child has a shorter fall if the carrier tips over.
• Check for recalls. Both strollers and carriers have had recalls in recent years. Check http://www.recalls.gov to see if the model you plan to use has been recalled.

Please SHARE this important information with other parents on Facebook!

[Featured Image: Shutterstock]

Traumatic Head Injuries Caused By Baby Strollers Are On The Rise is an article from: LifeDaily