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Study: 17,000 kids are treated for stroller or carrier-related injuries yearly

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WISH) — About two children are being treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments for stroller or carrier-related injuries every hour, according to a new study from the Center for Injury Research and Policy of the Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

The study found that, over a 21 year period from 1990 to 2010, almost 361,000 children aged five and younger were treated in emergency rooms for the injuries.

The study, which was published Wednesday, found that most children were injured when they fell from the stroller or carrier or when the stroller or carrier tipped over. The head and face were the most commonly injured parts of the body.

According to a news release from Nationwide Children’s, while many of the injuries were bumps and bruises, the proportion of stroller-related traumatic brain injuries and concussions doubled during the study period, growing from 19 percent of injuries in 1990 to 42 percent of injuries in 2010.

“While these products are used safely by families every day, when injuries do occur they can be quite serious,” Kristi Roberts, MS, MPH, study author and research associate in the Center for Inquiry Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s said.

“The majority of injuries we saw were head injuries which is scary considering the fact that traumatic brain injuries and concussions in young children may have long term consequences on cognitive development,” Roberts said.

Safety experts suggest the following when it comes to stroller and carrier safety:

  • Make sure your child is seated and buckled at all times.
  • Avoid hanging purses and bags on the handle of strollers that can cause them to tip over.
  • Lock the stroller wheels when you put it in park.
  • Get a model that fits your child.
  • Check to make sure your stroller is not recalled. You can do so here.