A nationwide study of the risk of injury associated with day care center attendance.

OBJECTIVE

Because an increasing proportion of US children spends time in day care center environments, a national estimate of injury risks in day care centers is needed.

METHODS

We interviewed directors of 1797 day care centers from every state and the District of Columbia from October to December 1990 and analyzed medically attended injuries and center characteristics reported by the directors.

RESULTS

The centers were attended by 138,404 children. In the 2 months before the center directors were interviewed, 556 children sustained injuries requiring medical attention while attending the centers. The injury rate was 1.5 injuries per 100,000 child hours in day care. The most common injuries were cuts or lacerations (31%), bumps or bruises (15%), fractures (10%), and dental injuries (8%). Most injuries (51%) occurred on the playground. Many injuries (18%), and more than half of fractures and concussions (53%) were due to falls from climbing equipment.

CONCLUSIONS

Day care center injury rates estimated by this study were relatively low. Many injuries that occur in this setting are probably minor. However, lowering the height of playground equipment and providing more resilient playground surfaces could further reduce injury risks in day care centers.