Raising Children Network: the Australian parenting website
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Doors and hinges

By Raising Children Network
 
 
Cupboards, doors, door hinges and the hinge-side of doors can all injure children's fingers. So can car doors and folding equipment such as cots, high chairs, prams and strollers.

Children under five are particularly prone to this type of accident, with one-year-olds the most likely to injure themselves. Serious injuries such as crushing and amputation of fingers decrease as children get older.

As a parent, there are a number of things you can do, including teaching older children about safety, and installing devices to reduce the risk of serious injuries.

Ways to prevent injuries from doors and hinges

  • Check that children’s hands and fingers are well out of the way before opening and closing doors, including car doors.
  • Teach children not to play with or slam doors and to keep fingers out of the hinge-side of doors.
  • Teach children not to play chasey around doors.
  • Check where children’s fingers are before closing your car's electric windows.
  • Door guards can also help protect children's fingers. You can find out about these at a child-safety centre at a children's hospital, or at a hardware store.
  • Doorstops and weighted closing systems help stop doors from slamming suddenly.
  • A hook-and-eye latch high on doors will prevent them from closing.
 
 
 
  • Last reviewed04-05-2006
  • References

    Gunatilaka, A., Cassell, E., Clapperton, A. (2005). Preventing hand entrapment injury from doors. Hazard, 59, 19-22.