PRODUCT-RELATED CHILDHOOD ACCIDENTS A SURVEY OF 1590 CASES

Over a one-year period prospectively a total of 1590 product-related accidents in the home in children (0-15 years), presented at the two hospitals, were registered in a well defined geographical area to analyze injury mechanisms, injury panorama and potential risk products. The incidence of accidents in children was 279 per 10,000 inhibitants per year. A tendency of a smaller incidence with age and a significant higher incidence in boys were found. The most common localization of lesion was upper extremities (41%) and face and skull (30%). Household furniture and constructional features of the house caused most accidents and an alarming high number of burns was registered.