Washington, June 19: Computer injuries bring to mind tired eyes, carpal tunnel syndrome, and back or shoulder pain. Workdays of constant data entry can cause all of those problems, but that’s not the kind of computer injuries that have the medical profession talking.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s most recent statistics the number of U.S. households with computers went from 15 percent to 62 percent between 1989 and 2003. Some had more than one computer. This relates to the increase in people showing up in emergency rooms with injuries related to computers. The increase has been significant, with around 1,300 per year in 1994 rising to 9,300 a year in 2006. The increase is 732 percent nationwide during a time that the increase in computer ownership rose by only 309 percent. Are we becoming careless with our computer equipment, or has it just become so common place that the perils are not seen?
Study author Lara McKenzie, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio said, “It’s a pretty significant problem, given that computers are in most homes these days and many homes have more than one.” The study looked at injury data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, with about 78,000 people sustaining computer related injuries over a thirteen-year period. The rate peaked in 2003 when there were around 10,000 injuries caused by computers. Subsequent years have lower numbers, which coincides with lighter LCD screens replacing heavier older monitors.
Not surprisingly children under age 5 had the highest injury rate. The leading cause of injury for children 10 and under and adults over 60 was tripping or falling over computer equipment or its wiring. The most common injuries involved extremities and lacerations were the most common at 39 percent with contusions and abrasions at 23 percent. Young children were more apt to sustain head injuries.
“There are a lot of safety recommendations for all areas of the home—the bathroom, kitchen, bedrooms, but computers are not mentioned in the literature of the safety world,” McKenzie said. “Yet kids spend a lot of time on computers, and people are spending a lot of time on their computers or in their home offices.”
A recent study also by Nationwide Children’s Hospital found that computers aren’t the only dangerous items in the home, and that 15,000 children per year are treated for injuries caused by unstable furniture.
As with injuries caused by other furniture, most injuries related to computers were attributed to children playing near or climbing on computer equipment. To reduce or eliminate injuries from home computers, keep the equipment on sturdy and stable work surfaces away from traffic flow. Bundle and secure cords, and keep the work area tidy, install safety covers on unused outlets, and if necessary anchor heavy furniture or computer components to the wall.
Chrissy Cianfione, director of program operations for Safe Kids USA said that “We know you can’t watch your child 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but don’t have them playing in the home office or with the exercise equipment. Have them playing in a safe room that is baby-proofed.”
–Agencies–