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Children's door-crush finger injuries 'can be lifelong' | Children's door-crush finger injuries 'can be lifelong' |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Children and toddlers whose fingers are crushed by closing doors can end up with lifelong problems, plastic surgeons are warning. | Children and toddlers whose fingers are crushed by closing doors can end up with lifelong problems, plastic surgeons are warning. |
The British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (Bapras) said the injuries in some cases could lead to amputation and long-term pain. | The British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (Bapras) said the injuries in some cases could lead to amputation and long-term pain. |
They said parents should fit safety catches on all suitable doors at home. | They said parents should fit safety catches on all suitable doors at home. |
About 30,000 children trap their fingers in doors each year and more than 1,500 of them need surgery. | About 30,000 children trap their fingers in doors each year and more than 1,500 of them need surgery. |
The figures are from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. | The figures are from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. |
It says more than two million children under 15 have accidents in and around the home every year and require emergency medical care. | It says more than two million children under 15 have accidents in and around the home every year and require emergency medical care. |
According to Bapras, self-shutting fire safety doors, car doors and hinges are the top three causes of finger and hand injuries in children. | According to Bapras, self-shutting fire safety doors, car doors and hinges are the top three causes of finger and hand injuries in children. |
Hinge protectors | Hinge protectors |
It recommends putting small C-shaped devices made of foam or rubber over doors to prevent them slamming - but these are not suitable for fire doors because they prevent the door from closing. | It recommends putting small C-shaped devices made of foam or rubber over doors to prevent them slamming - but these are not suitable for fire doors because they prevent the door from closing. |
Hinge protectors can also be fitted on most doors. | Hinge protectors can also be fitted on most doors. |
Bapras spokeswoman Anna De Leo, a plastic surgeon at the Royal Free Hospital, London, said finger injuries were not a joke. | Bapras spokeswoman Anna De Leo, a plastic surgeon at the Royal Free Hospital, London, said finger injuries were not a joke. |
"The injuries are so serious that the patient would need to undergo a clinic appointment, an X-ray, day surgery, a follow-up nurse appointment and possibly physiotherapy." | "The injuries are so serious that the patient would need to undergo a clinic appointment, an X-ray, day surgery, a follow-up nurse appointment and possibly physiotherapy." |
And she said the effects could be long-term. | And she said the effects could be long-term. |
"It's easy to underestimate how important your hands are to doing everyday tasks. | "It's easy to underestimate how important your hands are to doing everyday tasks. |
"Injuries to fingers and hands mean tying your shoelaces, typing, holding a mobile phone or eating become a lot more challenging. | "Injuries to fingers and hands mean tying your shoelaces, typing, holding a mobile phone or eating become a lot more challenging. |
"And this is nothing compared to the impact of a finger amputation." | "And this is nothing compared to the impact of a finger amputation." |
Ms De Leo said people in that situation could also experience elbow pain, migraines and even depression. | Ms De Leo said people in that situation could also experience elbow pain, migraines and even depression. |
"Fingertip injury alone can result in 20% loss of hand strength and can prevent people from pursuing their chosen career," she added. | "Fingertip injury alone can result in 20% loss of hand strength and can prevent people from pursuing their chosen career," she added. |
'No finger tip' | |
In the late 1960s when Jane was about three years old, her older brother was asked to lay the table. | |
"When he tried to extend the gate leg table, the tip of my right hand ring finger was severed," she says. | |
"Mom picked up the tip and I went to the hospital. | |
"Apparently I had nine stitches but it didn't reattach so now I no longer have a tip on that finger." | |
Colin was a toddler when he pulled himself up using the door frame while my friend tried to close the door. | |
"The door wouldn't close (because my thumb was in the way) so my friend kept on pushing the door. | |
"It took my Mum a while to work out where I was making all the noise from," he says. | |
The doctors wanted to amputate the top half of his thumb but his parents persuaded them not to. | |
Now he has a misshapen but fully-functional tenth digit. | |
"People only notice it's misshapen if I point it out, which I very rarely do." | |
Accidents that happen in the home | Accidents that happen in the home |
Have you suffered problems after a finger injury when young? Are you the parent of a child who has injured their fingers? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. | Have you suffered problems after a finger injury when young? Are you the parent of a child who has injured their fingers? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |