Bunk bed injuries

Article Abstract:

Young children fall out of bed usually without significant injury. No data, however, have been developed to determine the safety of bunk beds. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimated that 25,000 children under 15 years were injured in falls from bunk beds in 1987. Of these, 570 required hospitalization and 4 children died. All children who came to the emergency department (ED) of Children's Hospital in Philadelphia for treatment of injuries related to bunk beds were interviewed either while in the ED or within three days of their visit. The cohort numbered 68 children for the study period of February 1988 to February 1989. The control group of 62 children also visited the ED and slept in bunk beds, but were being treated for other reasons during the study interval. Patient data was charted as well as details relating to the height of the bunk beds, their composition and age, presence and location of guard rails and ladders and the composition of the floor of the room. Ninety-four percent of the beds were made of wood and in most instances floors were not carpeted. Most injuries occurred during daytime hours were caused by falls from the top bunk. The head and face were most frequently injured; significant internal injuries were absent in this group. Some bunks lacked side rails for the upper beds. Prevention recommendations include providing securely anchored side rails and ladders to assure a more stable and safe environment. The bunk bed should have reinforced frames and secure cross members to prevent collapse of the bed. Frame surfaces should be rounded, smooth, and cushioned to avoid impact injuries. The CPSC recommends that no child under 6 years sleep in the top bunk bed. Additional recommendations are presented. It is worthy of note that no legislation, restriction or instruction can completely replace adequate parental supervision. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Safety and security measures, Surveys, Bunk beds

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Lacerations in urban children: a prospective 12-January study

Article Abstract:

Lacerations (cuts) account for approximately 30 to 40 percent of all injuries treated in pediatric emergency departments. The incidence of lacerations was analyzed by age, sex, manner of injury, time of injury, area of occurrence, body area involved, and method of treatment. For boys, the incidence was greatest in the one to two-year age group, and most frequent in girls in the two to three-year age group. Lacerations occurred more frequently between May and August than any other time of the year, and most often occurred between three and nine p.m. Most laceration injuries, 47 percent, occurred in the indoors and 22.5 percent took place outdoors. The cuts occurred during play 42.3 percent of the time, and during the course of regular daily activity 32.1 percent of the time. Other common causes of lacerations were fighting (seven percent) and bicycling (five percent). Forty-four percent of these injuries were caused by falls, particularly, from furniture, bicycles, and stairs. The materials most frequently responsible for the cuts were broken glass (15 percent), wooden furniture (12 percent), and concrete or asphalt (11 percent). Cuts from these objects were often caused by bumping into furniture or falling on concrete. Broken-glass lacerations also resulted from falls in the street. Measures such as glass recycling, which would reduce the amount of glass debris in the streets, would prevent many of these accidents. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Wounds and injuries

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Three-wheeled vehicle injuries in children

Article Abstract:

Many injuries have been reported in toddlers riding nonmotorized three-wheeled vehicles of the tricycle or 'Big Wheels' variety. These are low-slung vehicles and some injuries are caused by their lack of visibility from automobiles and other vehicles. A six-month study was conducted with 44 children involved in three-wheeled vehicle accidents. Injuries that occurred in order of frequency were falling off the bike, sidewalk problems, losing control, hitting a stationary object, and being hit by a moving car. Twenty-four of these injuries involved the head and neck; eight injuries were to a lower extremity, seven were dental injuries, and three were injuries to an upper extremity. The types of injuries in order of frequency included lacerations, contusions, abrasions, and fractures. Most of the injuries were not considered serious. Features of the vehicles thought to contribute to the accidents were the lack of tire tread on the wheels and the absence of breaks. Accidents may be prevented by reducing the maximum allowable turning of the handlebars which would decrease the risk of overturning the vehicle. It is important that children be supervised when riding these vehicles, and that they avoid riding them into water or traffic. Vehicles should be used only on sidewalks and paths, and riding after dusk should be discouraged. In some cases, helmets may be advisable to protect against injury. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Causes of, Accidents, Traffic safety, Traffic safety and children, Tricycles

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