A new study finds that an average of two U.S. children every hour are injured when restrained in strollers or child carriers.
Every parent uses strollers, child carriers and other forms of child restraints, trusting that these devices will carry their children safely and securely. However, that often doesn’t happen. A new study reveals exactly how frequent injuries involving child safety devices really are.
The study was based on a review of data obtained between 1990 and 2010, and found that during this period of time, there were close to 361,000 child injuries involving children below the age of five, who were traveling in a stroller or child carrier.
The data also point to the frightening fact that most of the injuries children suffered when they were involved in accidents involving strollers and carriers were serious head injuries. Even a minor concussion may have long-term repercussions for a child below the age of five.
The most common accident involving strollers and carriers was falling, which accounted for approximately 67% of all stroller-related injuries and 63 % of carrier-related injuries. In approximately 29% of the carrier injuries tipping was defined as the major accident factor, while 16% of the stroller-related injuries were linked to tipping over.
Most children sustained soft tissue injuries to the head and face. Approximately 25% of all stroller injuries were serious, compared to one third for carrier-related injuries.
To avoid such injuries, ensure that your child is safely restrained in the stroller or carrier. Child transportation devices come with special harnesses and latches that are meant to keep children safe and these must be used properly.
Sometimes, accidents occur as a result of defective devices. If your child has been injured as a result of a defective stroller, child car seat, or child carrier, speak to an experienced product liability attorney as soon as possible.