Each Year 43,000 Children Are Injured In Bathtub Slips and Falls

Chrissie Cole

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A new study published in the journal Pediatrics confirms slips and falls are the most common source of bath injuries.

According to the study, more than 43,000 children are injured each year in the U.S. in slip and falls in bathtubs.

The researchers looked at some 791,200 bathtub- and shower-related injuries in children aged 18 and younger treated in emergency departments between 1990 and 2007. Most of the injuries occurred in toddlers, around two years of age.

Data from the study showed the most common injuries were cuts to the face resulting from a slip, trip or fall, followed by the head and neck injuries.

This is the first bathtub and shower related injury study conducted in the U.S. using nationally available data collected by the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Researchers concluded, higher product safety standards, particularly increased friction on bathtub and shower floors, is needed. They also suggested shatterproof shower doors and elimination of sharp edges in bathing environments should be evaluated.