3rd June 2003
RESEARCHERS PINPOINT MOST ACCIDENT-PRONE AGE
The most accident-prone time for babies is between the ages of 15 and 17 months, American researchers claim.
A team from the University of California reviewed instances of over 23,000 childhood injuries in up to four-year-olds, including 636 fatal accidents, which occurred over a two-year period. Their findings are published in the American Academy of Paediatrics journal, Paediatrics.
They discovered that the most accident-prone period for infants is during the ages of 15 and 17 months. Before the age of three months, accidental falls accounted for the most injuries and between six and eight months, falling off furniture was common. At nine to 11 months accidentally swallowing foreign objects was most common and from 12 to 17 months hot liquids took the lead. Across all ages, poisoning from medicines was a major cause of injury.
Although there were accidents throughout the ages, the numbers peaked at between 15 and 17 months and, according to the researchers, this could be due to babies' development at this age. "It Coincides with developmental achievements such as independent mobility, exploratory behaviour and hand-to-mouth activity," they said. "The child is able to access hazards, but has not yet developed cognitive hazard awareness and avoidance skills."
Parents can help reduce the risk of accidents happening by being aware of potential danger areas of the home and garden, and moving hazards such as medication out-of-reach of young inquisitive hands.
Where to next?- Was your child more prone to accidents between 15 and 17 months old? Share your thoughts, in our Your Shout discussion forum
- Check out our child safety section
- Get to grips with summer safety
- Share your toddler experiences, in the Toddler troubles forum