Citation

Stevens JA, Haas EN, Haileyesus T. J. Saf. Res. 2011; 42(4): 311-315.

Affiliation

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, U.S. National Safety Council, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jsr.2011.07.001

PMID

22017838

Abstract

PROBLEM: Information about where nonfatal unintentional injuries occur is limited, but bathrooms commonly are believed to be a hazardous location. METHODS: Data from a nationally representative sample of hospital emergency departments (ED) was used to quantify and characterize nonfatal unintentional bathroom injuries among people aged ≥15years. RESULTS: In 2008, an estimated 234,094 nonfatal bathroom injuries were treated in EDs. Most injuries (81.1%) were caused by falls and 37.3% of injuries occurred when bathing, showering, or getting out of the tub or shower. Both injury and hospitalization rates increased with age. SUMMARY: These results suggest that bathrooms tend to be most hazardous for persons in the oldest age groups. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Bathroom injuries among all household members might be reduced by increasing awareness about potentially hazardous activities in the bathroom combined with simple environmental changes such as adding grab bars inside and outside the tub or shower.

Language: en