Four out of ten mums admit their children have been injured around the house while they themselves were busy cooking or cleaning, according to a new survey.
Try as we might, mums can't keep kids in cotton wool at all times
A study of 2,000 mums found hectic lifestyles mean seven in 10 mums are forced to regularly leave their children to play unsupervised while they carry out household chores.
The hard-hitting report, compiled by Lindam to launch its Safety Day on September 6th 2012, also revealed another seven out of 10 mums admit it is impossible to keep an eye on their child and still keep the house clean and tidy.
Claire Rayner, spokeswoman for Lindam, said: "Many accidents experienced by young children in the home come about because mum is understandably not able to keep a constant watch.
"There is increasing pressure on modern mums to be available at any moment for their children, while also being responsible for running the household and ensuring domestic life goes to plan for the whole family.
"She can't be in several places at once and the results show that, it only take a minute for an accident to happen.”
The report also revealed one third of children have fallen off the sofa or tripped over in the garden while mum has been busy with household chores.
One in five have slipped on a floor, shut their fingers in a door or hit their head on a sharp corner.
One in six has fallen down the stairs and the same number has been hurt from a fight with siblings.
The most common time for an accident to occur is while mum is busy cooking the evening meal.
Other accidents happen when mum is on the phone or having to deal with older siblings.
The good news is that mums are present for six out ten of their children's accidents, though it’s unclear whether these stats take into account working as well as stay at home mums. And exactly how many dads are doing their share of the childcare?
TOP 10 MOST COMMON CHILD ACCIDENTS
1. Tripped in the garden
2. Fallen off the sofa
3. Fallen off the bed
4. Slipped on a floor
5. Hit head on a sharp corner
6. Shut fingers in a door
7. Injured when fighting with sibling
8. Fallen down the stairs
9. Smashed glass
10. Burnt on the cooker
TOP 10 MUM DISTRACTIONS WHILE CHILD HAD ACCIDENT
1. Cooking
2. Being on the phone
3. Other children misbehaving or requiring time
4. Working from home
5. Cleaning
6. Hoovering
7. Ironing
8. In the shower
9. Hanging out the washing
10. Getting dressed
