It's scary for parents and children when a child falls out of bed in the middle of the night. You might wake up confused wondering what the loud thud was from down the hall and then when you hear your child crying, you know what happened right away. Children can sustain some pretty nasty injuries when they fall out of bed.
Head and Facial Lacerations
Even falling from a height of one to three feet, your child can sustain facial and head lacerations, according to a March 1987 study published in "Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics." Your child's face or head can get cut on a number of objects from toys that are near the bed or a nearby window sill. Even if the cut is minor, it could become infected or leave a scar. To prevent your child from cutting her head or face, keep the bed away from window sills and clear away toys or other sharp objects.
Head, Neck and Spine Injuries
While head, neck and spine injuries are rare, according to the "Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedic" study, they still happen. If your child fell out of bed and landed on top of his head, it could jolt the head and spine into a crunching motion. This could result in whiplash, a broken neck or a compressed disc in his neck or back, all which are very serious. If your child frequently falls out of bed, or to prevent him from ever falling out, you could place a guard on the side of his bed so he doesn't fall over the edge.
The guards are close in size to the length of the mattress, so it's similar to having a wall blocking him from falling out. The guards simply slide under the mattress or box spring, depending upon the type of guard purchased, and can be left in place until it's no longer needed.
Broken Arms and Legs
While it is rare for a child to break an arm or leg it can still happen. It's easier to break an arm or leg if falling from a higher height, such as from a bunk bed, than it is to fall from a bed that's only a few feet off the ground. Broken arms and legs require a cast for several weeks and are uncomfortable. Casts often cause itching, which the child cannot scratch because the cast is very hard, and only a physician can remove them after the extremity has healed.
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