Nonfatal bathroom injuries among persons aged ≥15 years--United States, 2008.

PROBLEM

Information about where nonfatal unintentional injuries occur is limited, but bathrooms commonly are believed to be a hazardous location.

METHODS

Data from a nationally representative sample of hospital emergency departments (ED) was used to quantify and characterize nonfatal unintentional bathroom injuries among people aged ≥ 15 years.

RESULTS

In 2008, an estimated 234,094 nonfatal bathroom injuries were treated in EDs. Most injuries (81.1%) were caused by falls and 37.3% of injuries occurred when bathing, showering, or getting out of the tub or shower. Both injury and hospitalization rates increased with age.

SUMMARY

These results suggest that bathrooms tend to be most hazardous for persons in the oldest age groups.

IMPACT ON INDUSTRY

Bathroom injuries among all household members might be reduced by increasing awareness about potentially hazardous activities in the bathroom combined with simple environmental changes such as adding grab bars inside and outside the tub or shower.