Pediatric injuries associated with fireplaces, United States, 2002-2007.
OBJECTIVE
To examine injuries among pediatric patients treated in an emergency department (ED) related to contact with a fireplace.


METHODS
Data were obtained from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System for the years 2002 through 2007. National estimates of ED visits for injuries associated with fireplaces were analyzed. Average annual rates were calculated, and logistic regression analyses were used to determine risk estimates for patient demographic characteristics related to ED visits for injuries associated with fireplaces.


RESULTS
From 2002 through 2007, there were an estimated 8000 ED visits annually for injuries related to fireplaces in the United States, with an average annual rate of 18.8 ED visits per 100,000 children aged birth through 10 years. The most common injuries involved lacerations (66%), burns (10%), and contusions (10%). Most injuries occurred to the face (46%) or head (31%). Most patients (98%) were treated and released the same day. Results of logistic regression analyses revealed that children aged birth to 3 years (odds ratio, 12.2; 95% confidence interval, 9.1-16.5) and children aged 4 to 6 years (odds ratio, 4.8; 95% confidence interval, 3.5-6.5) were more likely present in an ED for a fireplace-related injury when compared with older children aged 7 to 10 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Further research is warranted in the areas of etiology, injury prevention interventions, health communications, and surveillance to facilitate more effective injury prevention efforts.
Health Science Program, Department of Health, Kinesiology, Recreation and Dance, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA. bhammig@uark.edu
Bart J
BJ
Hammig
Jean
J
Henry
D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017677:Age Distribution; D002056:Burns / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D003288:Contusions / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005390:Fires; D006794:Household Articles; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D022125:Lacerations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology