Personal Injury during the Covid19 Pandemic

A   U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) analysis looking at personal injury during the coronavirus pandemic shows that while globally less Americans checked in at the emergency room for product related injuries during the pandemic, the number of severe cases remained mostly stable.   As emergency rooms were overwhelmed with Covid19 patients, Americans who suffered minor injuries opted not to visit the ER. As a result ER treatments for minor product-related injuries decreased by 24%. Visits for severe product related injuries only decreased by 1%.

Less children injuries at school but more injuries at home and outdoors

While school accident injuries dropped by 81 % due to remote learning, accidents at home and in outdoor environment increased. Skateboard, scooter and hoverboard injuries went up 39% with kids age 5 to 9 being the most vulnerable. In this age category,  these type of injuries recorded a 143% increase. While these activities are good options to play alone outdoors and avoid getting Covid-19, they can be quite dangerous, especially for beginners.

Fireworks injuries recorded a 56% increase as family celebrated 4th of July at home and decided to handle fireworks by themselves instead of gathering with a crowd and looking at the work of professional fireworks handlers.

ATV, mopped and minibike injuries increased by 39% as outdoor activities were perceived safer.

Cleaning became an obsession during the pandemic and as a result injuries related to cleaning agents increased by 84% and injuries related to soap and detergent by 60%. Included in detergent injuries were a significant amount of  cases of young children who got poisoned after they ingested liquid laundry packets believing they were candies.

Other common dangerous products ingested by children aged 5 to 9 were batteries. Emergency rooms saw an increase of 93% of cases of children injured after ingesting or sticking a battery in their nose or their ear.

Masks also caused ear, eye and respiratory injuries particularly to seniors.

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