Domestic accidents due to children’s falls: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: To describe the occurrence of domestic accidents due to children’s falls. Method: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study carried out with 181 parents and/or other caregivers of children aged between 2 and 5 years. Data were collected in March and April 2024, through a questionnaire containing 23 items, which were subjected to descriptive analysis. Results: The sample was composed mostly of mothers (93.9%), with a predominance of female children (52.2%), and 86.2% of infants suffered some type of fall at home. Falls from bed (56.4%), hitting the head/face (52.6%), mainly causing cuts/lacerations (16%), were predominant. Conclusion: The results show that it is essential to raise awareness among families about the imminent responsibility of protecting children from domestic accidents, protecting them from injuries that can be avoided through changes in behavior and adopting a proactive stance by intervening in anticipation of risk factors.