This study describes the epidemiology of injuries among children ≤3 years old associated with high chairs compared with chairs by retrospectively analyzing data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System from 2003 to 2010. An estimated 402 479 (95% confidence interval = 335 116-469 842) injuries associated with high chairs and chairs were treated in United States emergency departments, with an average of 9421 high chair–related injuries and 40 889 chair-related injuries annually. The number of high chair–related injuries significantly increased by 22.4% from 8926 injuries in 2003 to 10 930 injuries in 2010. Falling was the most common injury mechanism associated with high chairs (92.8%) and chairs (87.3%). Closed head injury was the most common diagnosis associated with high chairs (37.3%), and increased in number (P = .005) and rate (P = .006) from 2003 to 2010. Child caregivers should properly engage high chair safety restraint systems and encourage appropriate behaviors by young children when using chairs.
Ozanne-SmithJHeffernanCJ. Child injuries associated with nursery furniture (Monash University Accident Research Centre, Report No. 12). http://www.monash.edu.au/miri/research/reports/muarc012.pdf. Published March1990. Accessed November 29, 2012.
2.
US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Evenflo recalls Majestic High Chairs due to fall and choking hazards [Press release]. http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml09/09069.html. Published December18, 2008. Accessed November 29, 2012.
3.
US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Evenflo expands recall of Majestic High Chairs due to fall and choking hazards [Press release]. http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09177.html. Published April2, 2009. Accessed November 29, 2012.
4.
US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Evenflo recalls Envision High Chairs due to fall and choking hazards [Press release]. http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09178.html. Published April2, 2009. Accessed November 29, 2012.
5.
US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Fisher-Price recalls 3-in-1 High Chairs due to fall hazard [Press release]. http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09160.html. Published March24, 2009. Accessed November 29, 2012.
6.
US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Fisher-Price recalls Healthy Care, Easy Clean and Close to Me High Chairs due to laceration hazard [Press release]. http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml10/10361.html. September30, 2010. Accessed November 29, 2012.
7.
US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Graco recalls Harmony High Chairs due to fall hazard [Press release]. http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10171.html. Published March21, 2011. Accessed November 29, 2012.
8.
US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Target recalls Circo Booster Seats due to fall hazard [Press release]. http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09302.html. Published August6, 2009. Accessed November 29, 2012.
9.
US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Target expands recall of child booster seats following additional reports of falls [Press release]. http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11248.html. Published June15, 2009. Accessed November 29, 2012.
10.
US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Ikea recalls LEOPARD Highchairs due to fall and choking hazards [Press release]. http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10089.html. Published December22, 2009. Accessed November 29, 2012.
11.
PowellECJovtisETanzRR. Incidence and description of high chair-related injuries to children. Ambul Pediatr. 2002;2:276-278.
12.
SchalamonJAinoedhoferHSaxenaAKPetnehazyTSingerGHollwarthME. Falls from highchairs. Eur J Pediatr. 2006;165:732-733.
13.
US Consumer Product Safety Commission. NEISS: National Electronic Injury Surveillance System: A Tool for Researchers. Washington, DC: US Consumer Product Safety Commission. http://www.cpsc.gov/neiss/2000d015.pdf. Published 2000. Accessed November 29, 2012.
14.
US Census Bureau. National population estimates for the 2000s: monthly postcensal resident population, by single year of age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin. http://www.census.gov/popest/data/historical/2000s/index.html. Accessed July 07, 2011.
American Society for Testing and Materials International. ASTM F404-10 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for High Chairs. West Conshohocken, PA: American Society for Testing and Materials International; 2010.
21.
American Society for Testing and Materials International. ASTM F2640-10 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Booster Seats. West Conshohocken, PA: American Society for Testing and Materials International; 2010.
