title: Throw rug-related injuries treated in US EDs: are children the same as adults?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Various characteristics of floors and floor coverings are well established as injury hazards. Loose carpeting, such as rugs, is often cited as a hazard leading to injury.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the epidemiology and patterns of rug, mat, and runner-related injuries in patients seeking emergency treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System from 1990 through 2009 were investigated. Sample weights were used to calculate national estimates. US Census Bureau data were used to calculate injury rates per 100 000 individuals. Linear regression and computation of relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An estimated 245 605 patients were treated in US emergency departments for rug-related injuries during the study period, with an average of 12 280 cases per year. Females (72.3%) and individuals older than 64 years (47.1%) sustained the largest number of injuries. Patients younger than 6 years were more likely to injure the head or neck region (RR, 3.52 [95% CI, 3.26-3.81]) compared with all other groups. Patients older than 18 years were more likely to experience a fracture or dislocation (RR, 2.52 [95% CI, 2.13-2.88]) and sustain an injury as a result of tripping or slipping on a rug (RR, 1.36 [95% CI, 1.26-1.41] compared with other age groups. Increasing age was associated with increased risk of hospitalization in this study. Patients who sustained an injury from a rubber or plastic mat/rug were significantly less likely to be admitted (RR, 0.67 [95% CI, 0.55-0.83]). Injuries occurring in kitchens or bathrooms resulted in significantly higher admission rates (RR, 1.45 [95% CI, 1.34-1.54]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rug-related injuries are an important source of injury for individuals of all ages.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Services, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, 2525 Chicago Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, 55404, USA.
authors.forename: Zlata
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Vlodaver
authors.affiliation: Emergency Services, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, 2525 Chicago Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, 55404, USA. Electronic address: Henry.ortega@childrensmn.org.
authors.forename: Henry W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Ortega
authors.affiliation: Emergency Services, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, 2525 Chicago Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, 55404, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arms
authors.affiliation: Research and Sponsored Programs, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vander Velden
authors.affiliation: Center for Injury Research and Policy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH; Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH.
authors.forename: Gary A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult