As families across the UK prepare for the holiday season, research highlights a hidden home hazard: toddlers climbing out of cots at night. New findings warn of increased night-time accidents during the busy festive period, urging parents to take action.
High incidence of cot escapes
A national study by toddler sleepwear brand Sleeping Stars reveals:
- 38% of young children have slipped, tripped, or fallen after climbing out of their cot or bed at night, often while parents were asleep and unaware.
- 77% of parents report their child has attempted to climb out of their cot or bed.
- 29% have dealt with repeat escape attempts.
The study underscores that night-time escapes are common and potentially dangerous.
The broader context of home safety
- The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) reports over two million children under 15 attend A&E annually for home accidents, with falls being a leading cause among children aged under five.
- Cluttered homes, especially during the festive season, heighten the risk of injury, contributing to a pre-Christmas surge in accidents.
Experts describe the phenomenon as the escape artist phase, when toddlers realise they can scale cot sides and explore the house at night. While parents may see a first escape as a milestone, it quickly becomes a safety concern.
The Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) notes that deprived areas experience 45% higher hospital admission rates for accidental injuries. December’s decorations and extra visitors make everyday spaces more hazardous.
Common escape destinations
Parents most often find their toddlers in:
- Their own bed
- Parents’ room (41.5%)
- Living room (14%)
- Stairs (7%)
- Kitchen (7%)
Other locations include the bath, toilet, or household bin (10.8%). RoSPA highlights stairs and kitchens as top fall zones, and the NHS advises clearing floors and securing high-risk areas, particularly during December when around 80,000 Christmas-related A&E visits occur.
Expert advice on night-time safety
Ilona Andrews, certified child sleep consultant and founder of Sleeping Stars, explains: “We often see cot escapes increase in the run-up to Christmas. Later bedtimes, visiting family, unfamiliar sleeping environments and general excitement all make sleep lighter and more disrupted. Once a child can get out of their cot, it is no longer a safe place to sleep, even if it only happens occasionally. Waiting until the behaviour becomes frequent leaves a window where falls are much more likely, particularly in homes filled with festive clutter or extra guests.”
Andrews adds that children may attempt climbing as early as 18 months. Increased mobility, disrupted routines, and winter illnesses contribute to more night-waking and exploring.
Top safety tips for night-time escapes
- Keep floors and stairs clear: Decorations, presents, and overnight bags can create tripping hazards.
- Move children into a bed once climbing becomes consistent: A toddler bed or floor bed reduces fall risk.
- Close off high-risk rooms overnight: Kitchens, bathrooms, and staircases should be restricted using latches or door stoppers.
- Choose well-fitted sleepwear: Avoid baggy pyjamas that can cause tripping.
- Re-establish calmer, earlier evenings: Dim lighting, predictable bedtimes, and quiet wind-down routines help children sleep more deeply.
These tips align with NHS and RoSPA guidance, including adjusting cot bases as children grow and preventing objects that aid escapes.
About Sleeping Stars
Sleeping Stars is a UK-based, family-owned baby clothing brand founded by a certified sleep consultant and mother. Its organic cotton sleeping bags and toddler sleep suits, priced from £40, are designed to support safe and restful sleep. Features include built-in feet to minimise slips. Customer feedback suggests these products ease cot escape concerns, blending safety with comfort.
Experts, including the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), emphasise early education on injury prevention to reduce accidental injuries that strain families and the NHS.
