17000 kids are treated for stroller or carrier-related injuries yearly

Most children were injured when they fell from the stroller (67%) or carrier (63%) or when the stroller (16%) or carrier (29%) tipped over.

Most of the injuries involved the child’s head and face.

Two babies every hour are taken to the emergency room somewhere in the US because they were injured in a stroller, a study shows.

The researchers used a national database of emergency room visits to look for injuries associated with strollers or carriers. The researchers then combined that information with data from a sample of 100 hospitals and the U.S. Census Bureau to estimate national injury rates involving strollers and carriers, both the wearable and basket-like versions with handles. A total of 360,937 children were treated in emergency rooms for these kinds of accidents, an average of 17,187 each year, the research team discovered.

For carriers, almost 30 percent of injuries happened when the product tipped over. However, nearly a quarter were diagnosed with traumatic brain injury/concussion.

“Never text or use your smartphone while pushing a stroller or using a infant carrier, as even a split second of distraction can lead to a misstep, trip or fall resulting in a traumatic brain injury cervical spine or cord injury to your child – and even yourself”, he said.

“The majority of injuries we saw were head injuries, which is scary considering the fact that traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and concussions in young children may have long term consequences on cognitive development”, Roberts said. In fact, the proportion of stroller-related TBIs/concussions doubled during the study period going from 19% of injuries in 1990 to 42% of injuries in 2010 and the proportion of carrier-related TBI/concussions tripled going from 18% of injuries in 1990 to 53% of injuries in 2010. “We’re not sure why this increase occurred”. The patients were more likely to be boys, and more likely to be younger than a year old. That’s equivalent to about two children getting hurt every hour!

“As parents, we place our most precious cargo in strollers and carriers every day”, Roberts said in the statement. Safer juvenile products that meet these mandatory standards are in stores and online today.

The researchers found data on 360,937 children treated in USA emergency departments for stroller- or carrier-related injuries during that time period. “I always make sure that I have him very well closed here”.

Always buckle harness and seat belt. Also, parents should be aware of anything that might tip or topple over the device, such as putting it on an elevated surface or weighing it down with heavy objects like purses. They have age and weight limits, so make sure yours is the right fit for your child.

Keep it out of the sun.

About 40 percent of children in stroller accidents were diagnosed with soft-tissues injuries like bruising when they were brought to the emergency department, followed by traumatic brain injuries and concussions making up about a quarter of stroller injuries. Adult supervision is definitely required and will help to prevent accidents. If an accident occurs, the child has less distance to fall, she explained.