When parents leave their little ones at daycare, there’s a baseline expectation that the environment will be safe, supervised, and structured. However, some of the most common injuries we see can happen in everyday moments, like mealtime.
One piece of equipment found in nearly every daycare is the highchair. While it may seem harmless, a highchair can quickly become dangerous when it's misused or poorly maintained. Below, we break down three serious injuries that can happen in daycare highchairs, why they occur, and how they can be prevented.
1. Head Injuries from Falls
One of the most severe injuries that can happen in a highchair is a head injury due to a fall. These incidents often happen when a child is left unsecured, allowing them to stand up, lean over, or even tip the chair entirely.
Head injuries in young children can be incredibly serious. A fall from a highchair can lead to a concussion or skull fracture, both of which may result in long-term effects on a child’s cognitive development, including issues with memory, behavior, and learning.
These injuries are preventable. Children must always be strapped in with a secure harness, and highchairs should be placed on flat, stable ground, never near walls or furniture that could make tipping easier. Proper use and positioning of the highchair goes a long way in preventing falls.
2. Choking During Mealtime
Choking is another major concern during highchair use, especially when caregivers are distracted or stretched too thin. Young children are still learning how to chew and swallow properly, and even soft foods can become a hazard if a child is left unattended while eating.
This type of injury is particularly dangerous because choking can become fatal in minutes if no one intervenes. That’s why close supervision is critical during every mealtime. Daycare workers should be fully present, with eyes on the children at all times, and meals should be cut into small, age-appropriate pieces to reduce the risk.
Choking can often be prevented with proper staff training, a consistent adult-to-child ratio, and an environment where children are never left alone with food.
3. Entrapment Injuries
Another risk that’s often overlooked is when a child’s arm or leg gets stuck in a highchair. This can happen if a child isn’t properly secured or the chair’s design leaves dangerous gaps where little limbs can slip through and get caught.
When a child’s limb becomes trapped, it can lead to painful sprains, bruising, or fractures. In many cases, children may panic and struggle to free themselves, making the injury worse.
Daycare providers should regularly inspect all highchairs for structural issues or damage. Any chair with visible wear and tear or an unsafe design should be removed immediately. Children should always be buckled in and monitored to prevent falls while in the chair to ensure their safety.
What to Do If Your Child Was Hurt
If your child was injured in a highchair at daycare, you don’t have to navigate the aftermath alone. Our team is here to help you understand your rights and explore next steps.
We also created a free, 5-step guide for parents to follow after a daycare injury. It’s linked below for easy access.
You can contact us directly at (214) 699-4409, email us at intake@buttonlawfirm.com, or fill out the contact form on our website.
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