Besides traffic accidents, falls were the most common cause of injuries that landed children in Al Ain's main trauma ward from 2003 to 2006.
While parents in the UAE might worry about falls from high-rise buildings, they should also be conscious of the risk of falls inside.
Many homes have very hard flooring, such as marble, said Dr Michal Grivna, an assistant professor in UAE University's department of community medicine.
"If there is a fall the impact is very high," Dr Grivna said.
Parents should consider laying down carpets with non-slip mats underneath. They should also place non-slip mats in the bathroom.
"For small children, it is good to limit their access to the stairs," Dr Grivna said. Parents can buy baby gates at Ikea or children's stores.
Avoid using baby walkers, which can enable children to fall down stairs or slip from raised surfaces.
"Another risk is bunk beds," Dr Grivna said. Make sure there are guards on upper bunks so that children cannot roll off.
To prevent falls from high-rise windows, install devices that prevent windows from opening wider than 10 centimetres. Such devices should be too difficult for a child to operate but simple for an adult to remove in an emergency.
Finally, parents should keep furniture that children can climb on away from windows.
If your home has a balcony, make sure the guards are vertical - children can climb on horizontal guards - and limit child access to the area.
vnereim@thenational.ae
For more of our How To series, click here.
Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
