Injuries associated with flotation toys and swimming aids

July 2008

There were 35 cases of injury associated with flotation toys and swimming aids reported by Victorians in the 10-year period January 1996 to December 2006. Cases were identified by the Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset (VEMD).

Frequency: As can be seen from Table 1, the frequency of injuries associated with flotation toys and swimming aids peaked at 8 cases in 2004. Note that cases numbers are small and prone to fluctuation.

Table 1: Flotation toys and swimming aids-related injury ED presentations by year (n=35)

Source: VEMD, Jan '96 - Dec '06

Age: Over two-thirds of the flotation toys and swimming aids related-injuries involved children aged less than 14 years (71%), primarily young children aged 0-4 years (31%) (Figure 1).

Source: VEMD, Jan '96 - Dec '06
Figure 1: Flotation toys and swimming aids-related injury ED presentations by age groups (n=35)

Gender: Females were slightly over-represented in ED presentations (51%).

Cause: Collision with an object (31%) and falls (26%) were the most common reported causes of flotation toys and swimming aids-related injuries (Figure 2).

Source: VEMD, Jan '96 - Dec '06
Figure 2: Flotation toys and swimming aids-related injury ED presentations by cause (n=35)

Flotation toys/swimming aid involved: The main flotation toys and swimming aids involved in injuries were kickboards (23%), followed by floaties (20%), and beach balls (17%).

Activity when injured: The majority of injuries occurred when the child was engaged in sports or leisure activity (66%).

Nature of injury: The leading injuries presenting to hospitals were sprains/strains, accounting for 26% of all cases. Less than 5 cases were recorded for all other types of injuries.

Body site: Injuries presenting to hospitals were primarily to the head/face and elbow/wrist. Each accounted for 20% of all injuries. Less than 5 cases were recorded for the trunk, lower extremity and foreign body region.

Location: Almost half of the flotation toys and swimming aids-related injury occurred at a place of recreation (49%). Less than 5 cases were recorded for the home.

Prevention: Flotation devices and swimming aids should only be used under competent supervision. Parents must ensure that all products are the correct size and all styles conform to the Australian standard.

Further information:
Further flotation toys and swimming aids information is available from the following websites:
Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC): www.accc.gov.au/content/item.phtml?itemId=742396&nodeId=260d617f55bd0edd5262b66b1c62b398&fn=Safe%20toys%20for%20kids.pdf
The Department of Consumer and Employment Protection: www.docep.wa.gov.au/consumerprotection/PDF/Product_Safety/floatation_toys.pdf

Data source: Victoria Emergency Minimum Dataset (VEMD): January 1996 to December 2006 (10 years).
Restrictions: Any cells values less than 5 have been excluded from tables and figures to protect patient confidentiality.
Search Strategy: Cases were selected by conducting a text search in the VEMD for the terms “inflatable” or “pool noodle” or “pool ring” or “kickboard” or “floatie” or “floatation” and spelling variations of these in the 250 character “description of injury event” field.