Furniture and television tip-over injuries to children treated in United States emergency departments.

BACKGROUND: Furniture and television tip-over injuries are an important source of injury to children, especially those younger than 6 years old. A current epidemiologic evaluation of tip-over injuries is needed, especially considering changes in the voluntary safety standard for clothing storage units (CSUs) and the shift in the consumer market from cathode ray tube to flat-screen televisions (TVs), and a decline in household TV ownership during recent years. The objective of this study is to update our understanding of the epidemiologic characteristics and trends of furniture (especially CSU) and TV tip-over injuries treated in United States emergency departments among children < 18 years old. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System from 1990 to 2019. Trends in population-based rates were evaluated with regression techniques. All numbers of cases are expressed as national estimates. RESULTS: An estimated 560,203 children < 18 years old were treated in United States emergency departments for furniture or TV tip-over injuries during the 30-year study period, averaging 18,673 children annually. CSUs were involved in 17.2% (n = 96,321) of tip-overs, and TVs accounted for 41.1% (n = 230,325), which included 16,904 tip-overs (3.0%) that involved both a CSU and TV. The rate of furniture and TV tip-over injuries among children < 18 years old increased by 53.8% (p < 0.0001) from 1990 to 2010, and then decreased by 56.8% (p < 0.0001) from 2010 to 2019. Almost half (47.0%) of injuries occurred to the head/neck; 3.4% of children were admitted to the hospital. Children < 6 years old accounted for 69.9% of furniture and TV tip-over injuries overall; they accounted for 82.5% of CSU-related and 74.7% of TV-related tip-over injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the decline in tip-over injuries since 2010, more should be done to prevent these injuries, especially among children < 6 years old, because the number of injuries remains high, outcomes can be life-threatening, and effective prevention strategies are known. Safety education, warning labels, and promotion and use of tip restraint devices, while important, are not a substitute for strengthening and enforcing the stability requirements for CSUs and TVs.

Zipline-related injuries treated in US EDs, 1997-2012.

PURPOSE: To investigate the epidemiology of zipline-related injuries in the United States. BASIC PROCEDURES: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database was used to examine non-fatal zipline-related injuries treated in US emergency departments (EDs) from 1997 through 2012. Sample weights were applied to calculate national estimates. MAIN FINDINGS: From 1997 through 2012, an estimated 16850 (95% CI, 13188-20512) zipline-related injuries were treated in US EDs. The annual injury rate per 1 million population increased by 52.3% from 7.64 (95% CI, 4.86-10.42) injuries in 2009 (the first year with a stable annual estimate) to 11.64 (95% CI, 7.83-15.45) injuries in 2012. Patients aged 0-9 years accounted for 45.0% of injuries, females made up 53.1% of injuries, and 11.7% of patients required hospitalization. Fractures accounted for the largest proportion of injuries (46.7%), and the upper extremities were the most commonly injured body region (44.1%). Falls were the most common mechanism of injury, accounting for 77.3% of injuries. Among cases where the location of the injury event was known, 30.8% of injuries occurred in a residential setting and 69.2% occurred in a public place. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to characterize the epidemiology of zipline-related injuries using a nationally representative database. The rapid increase in zipline-related injuries in recent years suggests the need for additional safety guidelines and regulations. Commercial ziplines and publicly accessible non-commercial ziplines should be subject to uniform safety standards in all states and jurisdictions across the US, and homemade ziplines should not be used.

Acute computer-related injuries treated in U.S. emergency departments, 1994-2006.

BACKGROUND: Computer ownership and use have increased significantly in recent years. No previous research has examined whether and to what extent home computers and equipment are associated with acute injuries. This study examines acute computer-related injuries on a national level. METHODS: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database was used to examine cases of acute computer-related injury treated in U.S. emergency departments from January 1, 1994, through December 31, 2006. Analysis was conducted from June 2008 through August 2008. RESULTS: During the study period, an estimated 78,703 (95% CI=61,394-96,011) individuals, aged 1 month-89 years, were treated in U.S. emergency departments for acute computer-related injuries. Children aged <5 years had the highest injury rate of all age groups. The most common cause of injury was tripping or falling by patients aged <5 years (43.4%) and >or=60 years (37.7%) and hitting or getting caught on computer equipment for individuals of all other ages (36.9% of all cases). While injuries to the extremities were most common (57.4%), children aged <10 years most often had injuries to the head (75.8% for those aged <5 years and 61.8% for those aged 5-9 years). When the locale of injury was recorded, 93.2% of injuries occurred at home. The number of acute computer-related injuries increased by 732% over the 13-year study period, which is more than double the increase in household computer ownership (309%). CONCLUSIONS: Given the continued increase in computer ownership and the more-than-sevenfold increase in acute computer-related injuries observed over the study period, increased efforts are needed to prevent such injuries, especially among young children.

Assessing public opinion regarding potential ATV-related policies.

PROBLEM: States with laws regarding ATV use and safety have lower mortality and injury rates than states with few or no restrictions. Our objective was to assess the attitudes of registered Ohio voters concerning potential legislation regarding ATV use and safety to determine the feasibility of its enactment. METHOD: A statewide telephone survey of 838 registered Ohio voters was conducted and results were weighted by region to accurately represent all Ohio voters. RESULTS: Registered voters were in favor of restricting the use of ATVs by children <16 years (81%), prohibiting passengers on ATVs (81%), requiring helmets (78%), and requiring all ATV owners and users to take a safety class (77%). ATV riders indicated that a mandatory helmet law would increase helmet use. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Assessing public opinion regarding public health and safety laws is a critical first step when considering legislation to improve ATV safety.

Bicycle-related injuries among children and adolescents in the United States.

The objective of this study is to describe the epidemiology of bicycle-related injuries among children and adolescents 18 years and younger on a national level. This is a retrospective analysis of data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission for patients 18 years and younger who were seen in emergency departments (EDs) between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2005, for injuries received while operating a bicycle. During the 16-year study period, there were an estimated 6 228 700 individuals 18 years and younger treated in US EDs for bicycle-related injuries. Children with head injuries were more than 3 (relative risk, 3.63) times as likely to require hospitalization and were almost 6 (relative risk, 5.77) times more likely to have their injuries result in death. The large number of annual bicycle related-injuries is evidence that prevention of these injuries should remain an important area of bicycle safety research and practice.

Diving-related injuries in children <20 years old treated in emergency departments in the United States: 1990-2006.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this work was to comprehensively examine diving-related injuries in the United States among children and adolescents <20 years of age. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of diving-related injury data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, including patients aged <20 years old who were seen in an emergency department for a diving-related injury from 1990 through 2006. RESULTS: An estimated 111341 patients aged

Golf cart-related injuries in the U.S.

BACKGROUND: Golf carts today are used in a variety of public and private settings. Injuries related to golf carts are an important and increasing problem for people of all ages. This study analyzes trends and potential causes of nonfatal golf cart-related injury on a national level. METHODS: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database was used to examine all cases of nonfatal golf cart-related injury treated in U.S. emergency departments (EDs) from 1990 to 2006. Analysis was conducted in 2007. RESULTS: An estimated 147,696 (95% CI=144,404; 150,987) injuries, involving individuals aged 2 months to 96 years, were treated in EDs in the U.S. for golf cart-related injuries during the study period. Injuries to children (aged<16) constituted 31.2% of the cases. The most common type of injury was soft tissue damage (47.7%). Patients required hospitalization in 7.8% of the cases. Falling from a golf cart was the most common cause of injury (38.3%). Of golf cart-related injuries with a reported location, 70.3% occurred at sports facilities, 15.2% occurred on streets or public property, and 14.5% occurred around a home or farm. The number of golf cart-related injuries increased steadily each year, with an increase of 132.3% over the 17-year study period. CONCLUSIONS: Given the growing capabilities and popularity of golf carts, coupled with the marked increase in golf cart-related injuries observed over the study period (>130%), intensified efforts are needed to prevent these injuries, especially among children.