Many Children Injured in Bathroom Accidents

A long-standing hazard accounts for 40,000 emergency department visits by children. Slippery bathtubs, showers and bathroom floors result in falls and injuries, especially lacerations. Very young children, under 4 years old, suffered more than half of the injuries. And most cases were not due to parental neglect. Usually the parents were right there with the child but couldn’t catch him in time when he started to slip.
The investigators urge parents to put slip resistant bath mats in tubs and showers and on the floor. They also recommend grab bars and putting padding on faucets and handles to protect youngsters from sharp edges. Although the researchers don’t mention it, some of these recommendations might also be useful in homes where elderly people live.
[Pediatrics, August, 2009]