Attention Every 8 minutes, a child is injured in these infant products

Bed linen and baby carriers often lead to injuries in small children
Young children under the age of three frequently injured themselves when using special sheets, strollers, baby carriers and carrying baskets. Researchers found that about every eight minutes in the US a child is injured by an accident involving such products.

Researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital found in an investigation that around 66,000 small child injuries a year occur in the US through the use of baby strollers, baby carriers, and baby carriers, for example. Such injuries are increasing strongly in recent years. The experts published the results of their study in the journal "Pediatrics".

There are many injuries in the use of special products for toddlers. Especially with the use of baby carriers and children's bed linen, it can lead to accidents for small children and babies. (Image: Christian Müller / fotolia.com)

Every eight minutes an accident happens
The doctors were surprised at how many injuries are caused by the use of infant products, says Tracy Mehan of Nationwide Children's Hospital. Every eight minutes, an accident involving daily family-use products is very high, the expert adds. Although there is also an increasing awareness in parents for the symptoms, for example, in a concussion, says Mehan. However, this is no explanation for the increase in accidents in infants.

Study analyzes data from emergency departments over a period of twenty years
In order to determine how many children were injured in accidents involving infant products, the researchers examined the data from emergency departments in the period between 1991 and 2011. American experts estimate that in these two decades, 1,391,844 children under the age of 3 years were diagnosed Use of products for infants were injured. And even that high number could be undervalued, Mehan adds. It is likely that the number is even higher, as children are not always admitted to an emergency room for injuries.

What are the main reasons for injuries?
The main cause of injuries detected are products for infants and babies. Most injuries occur when children fall out or such products do not function properly, Mehan explains. The second most common cause of injury is bed linen. This could, for example, lead to injuries if children become involved. Another reason for injuries are mattresses. If mattresses are not the right size for cribs or cribs, the child can put his face between the mattress and the outside of the crib. Young children are not always able to raise their heads, says the doctor. The experts also recommend that in a baby crib no cuddly toys or blankets to lay while the baby is sleeping.

Use cribs with date of manufacture after the year 2011
In addition, the scientists recommend that parents should only use nurseries made after the year 2011. From that point on, safety standards have improved dramatically.

Always strap on children in baby carriers
Make sure that your child is always strapped into baby carriers. When you leave the infant carrier or carrycot, be sure to place such products as low as possible. So the bowl or the basket can not fall off the table or fall over, explain the experts.

Pay attention to callbacks of purchased products
Another big problem is that often the message of product recalls does not immediately reach the parents, says Mehan. About 80 percent of the recalled products would not be returned because the affected parents did not hear about their recall.

Inform yourself before you buy a product
There are an overwhelming number and type of products in the market. Before you purchase a new product, check with trusted organizations for the type of products that are safe and recommended, Mehan explains. (As)