A new study has shown a significant increase in the number of children being treated in emergency departments with injuries associated with high-chairs.
The most common injuries were so-called “closed head” injuries such as concussions, with bruises and cuts the next most frequent according to a study conducted by Dr Gary Smith. The study examined figures in the USA which confirmed that from 2003 to 2010 an average of about 9,500 infants and toddlers were brought to emergency rooms with high-chair related injuries. Figures show that emergency departments are seeing around 11,000 children every year with injuries associated with high-chair use.
A high-chair elevates the child higher than a typical chair would and high-chairs are often used in dining areas with hard floors which increases the injury risk from a fall. Research showed that more than 3.4 million high-chairs had been recalled due to faulty designs since 2008 and it is thought that the increase in injuries may be due, in part, to some recalled chairs still being in use.
Speaking today about the figures Liam Moloney Product Liability Solicitor in Naas Co Kildare said “parents should always use the high-chair’s restraining system as the tray alone will not keep a child safely in a chair. The restraints must be used correctly”.
