Television-related injuries to children in the United States, 1990-2011

Ana C De Roo1, Thiphalak Chounthirath, Gary A Smith

  • 1Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio 43205, USA.

Pediatrics
|July 24, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric TV-related injuries are common, with a significant increase in injuries from falling televisions. Prevention efforts are crucial to protect children from these hazards.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Pediatric Safety
  • Injury Epidemiology

Background:

  • Television-related injuries pose a significant risk to children.
  • Understanding injury patterns is essential for developing effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the epidemiology of television (TV)-related injuries among children in the United States.
  • To analyze trends in TV-related injuries over a 22-year period.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS).
  • Analyzed emergency department visits for children (<18 years) with TV-related injuries from 1990-2011.

Main Results:

  • An estimated 380,885 children were treated for TV-related injuries.
  • Injuries from falling TVs significantly increased by 125.5% during the study period.
  • A substantial rise in injuries from TVs falling off furniture was observed.

Conclusions:

  • The increasing rate of pediatric injuries from falling TVs necessitates enhanced prevention efforts.
  • Recommended strategies include public education, TV anchoring devices, and improved TV stability standards.
Abstract

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