Children and Climbing Accidents

Children are instinctively curious about their world, which means they do a good deal of exploring, especially when they begin crawling and walking. It is only natural, then, that they accomplish some of this exploration by climbing on anything and everything. While climbing can be healthy and a great way for a child to assert their independence, climbing accidents are all too common. 

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), one child is taken to the emergency room every 24 minutes and one child dies every two weeks due to a piece of furniture or television tipping onto them while they are attempting to climb. 

The greatest risk for climbing accidents occurs when a child is between one (1) and five (5) years old when they are at their most curious and active. However, babies less than one-year old account for 8% of climbing injuries, so it is important to begin anchoring furniture as soon as your child begins to roll over unaided.

Bookshelves, televisions, and dressers are the most dangerous pieces of furniture in the home, but any furniture that is not mounted to the wall can be dangerous, even under the minimal weight of a small child. To prevent child climbing accidents, the CPSC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend the following:

• Lock down your television-Flat-screen televisions should be mounted to the wall or secured with straps to the entertainment center.
• Anchor furniture-Tall furniture that poses a climbing hazard should be anchored to the wall with anti-tip brackets which can be found at most hardware and general-purpose stores.
• Buy smart-When shopping for nursery furniture, look for pieces approved by the CPSC that follow voluntary stability standards, however these items should still be anchored to the wall for complete safety.
• Use wire guards-Children are strong enough to pull televisions and computer monitors down onto themselves. Wire guards can prevent this.
• Avoid being top-heavy-Do not store heavy items on top shelves, instead put heavier items lower and use furniture door locks.
• Reduce temptation-Keep anything that could entice a child into climbing onto furniture away from the top shelves, including keys, books, toys, and iPads.

In addition, parents and caregivers should encourage safe climbing by providing play gyms meant for climbing, step stools and ladders should be kept out of reach, and parents should anticipate that accidents could happen, so supervision is a must. 

If your child has been injured in a climbing accident due to a defective product or the negligence of a caregiver, contact 844 See Mike for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you. Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.

We at 844 See Mike are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, especially when you or a loved one has been injured, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.

We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at work we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at 844 See Mike, we put People, First. 

Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 900 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 120 five-star reviews on Google.  Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at michael@agrusslawfirm.com, or schedule meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.