Cold weather in the winter can lead to slippery surfaces outside due to frost, ice or snow and this increases the chances of having a fall. In winter, injuries to arms, legs and heads are one of the biggest reasons for children attending A&E.
You and your child may spend more time indoors, but accidents can happen inside too!
If you think an injury is serious, always seek immediate medical advice by calling 999.
Head injuries are common in active children and most will only cause a bump or a bruise to appear. They can be very worrying for parents and carers, and it can be hard to know what you need to do.
For more advice on when you can care for your child at home, when you need to contact a GP and when you need to take your child to A&E or call 999, click on the link below.
Arm injuries are common and can happen if you put your arm out to break a fall.
It's not always obvious how much a child has hurt themselves. The link below gives clear guidance on when you can care for your child at home, when you need to contact a GP and when you need to take them to A&E or call 999.
Pulled Elbows
These injuries can happen when the arm is suddenly pulled while the elbow is straight. You could be holding a child’s hand and swinging them backwards and forwards or round and round. Or it can be when a child slips or falls while you are holding their hand.
Pulled elbows usually only happens up to the age of five or six while a child’s ligaments are soft and stretchy around their elbow.
Children are often active and when they are running around or playing they can fall or bang into something which can cause leg injuries.
Similarly to arm injuries, you can't always tell how serious the injury is. The guide below contains clear guidance on when you can care for your child at home, when you need to contact a GP and when you need to take them to A&E or call 999.
As young children become mobile, they will have falls which will result in bumps and bruises and a few tears. Sometimes the injuries can be more serious and require medical attention.
45 children under the age of five are admitted to hospital every day because of a serious fall and they are the most common reason for childhood accidents.
There are lots of things you can do to help prevent these injuries and keep your child safe.
If you are worried that your child has a serious injury, always seek immediate help by calling 999.
You can contact a member of the 0-19 Healthy Child Service team by calling Just One Number on 0300 300 0123 or texting Parentline on 07520 631590. Our opening hours are 8am-6pm Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays) and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.
To speak to other Norfolk parents and carers, you can join our online community forum below.
