Yomiuri: Babies hurt in falls from tables
At least four babies have suffered skull fractures after falling from diaper-changing tables in shopping malls and other commercial facilities since 2000, prompting the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry to ask table manufacturers to add signs to their products warning of the danger of falls...In June, a 4-month-old boy fell from a diaper-changing table at a commercial facility in Toyama Prefecture. After the fall, he was taken to a hospital, where he was found to have suffered a skull fracture. The accident occurred when his 29-year-old mother turned her back on him for a few seconds to wash her hands as he lay on the table. The woman said that as she had strapped her son to the changing table she thought it was safe to briefly turn away from him. The boy is believed to have kicked the surface of the table before crawling out of the straps and falling headfirst to the floor. A spokesman for one of the changing table manufacturers said, "The belt on the table is to prevent a baby from moving from side to side and isn't intended to prevent falls. We believe the accident happened because the mother took her eyes off her baby"...Diaper-changing tables usually have warning messages affixed, such as "Use the belt," and "Do not leave your baby on the table." However, the ministry believes that such warnings are not enough to prevent accidents, and is urging manufacturers to add more explicit warning signs to the tables...more...
