November is Fall Prevention Month and this year the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute is highlighting preventing injuries in children.

Robyn Stewart is the Child Injury Prevention Program Coordinator and says the most serious falls experienced by young children happen at home such as falling from furniture or on stairs.

She says falls are the number one cause of hospitalization due to injury, emergency department visits and disabilities in children.

She says you never want to stop kids from being busy and on-the-go as it is essential to their development to be exploring and moving and being active. However, there are safety measures you can invest in like wall mounted gates at the top of stairs, as well as utilizing straps with highchairs and change tables. As children begin to grow, she says promote the use of safety equipment like helmets when skateboarding or riding a bike.

Regarding slipping and falling outdoors, in light of the current weather, Parkland Ambulance says it responded to several slip and fall calls on the weekend related to the weather which resulted primarily in minor injuries although one incident sent a 68-year-old Prince Albert area senior to local hospital with significant injuries. Parkland Ambulance suggests considering wearing footwear indoors and when outdoors try safety grips for your shoes or boots.