Although stair-related injuries have declined among young children, prevention efforts including parental education are still needed, says a study published this week in Pediatrics.

An estimated 931,886 children ages five and younger were treated for stair-related injuries from 1999 through 2008, an average of 93,189 injuries per year. The number of injuries per year decreased by 11.6 percent from 1999 to 2008. The study relied on data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission's National Electronic Injury Surveillance System.

It's a good idea to make your home a safe zone for young children, and safety gates at the bottom and top of staircases can help prevent stairway spills. We suggest you install pressure-mounted gates at the bottom and hardware-mounted gates at the top. Never use a pressure mounted gate at the top. For more see our safety gate buying guide, plus Safety gates: Where you need them, how to install them.

And although an activity center can keep your baby occupied and happy, you want to make sure to keep them away from stairs. For baby activity center safety, see our buying guide.

Stair-Related Injuries to Young Children Treated in US Emergency Departments, 1999 -2008 [Pediatrics]