Injury related to toys among children aged 0-5 years

July 2008

There were 2,843 cases of toy–related injury to children aged 0-5 years identified on the Victoria Emergency Minimum Dataset (VEMD) over the 6-year period January 2002 to December 2007. Frequency: As can be seen from Table 1, the frequency of toy–related injury appeared to increase over the 6-year period with injuries peaking in 2006 and 2007. However, much of this increase may be due to 8 additional Victorian hospitals contributing injury data over the period and the improvement in the quality of case narrative data in some hospitals.

Table 1: Toy–related injury by year

Source: VEMD, Jan '02 – Dec ‘07

Toy products: Of the 2,843 cases identified, 31% of case narratives included the term ‘toy' without any detail on the toy involved. A further 21% of injuries were associated with balls, 18% with any ride-on toys such as bicycle, tricycle and scooter, 7% with toy boxes and 5% with transport toys (cars, planes, trucks etc).

Age: The highest injury frequency occurred in 3-year-olds (22%), followed by 2-year-olds (20%) and 4-year olds (19%) (Figure 1).

Source: VEMD, Jan '02 – Dec ‘07
Figure 1: Toy–related injury ED presentations by age (n=2,843)

Gender: Males were over-represented (64%).

Cause: Most toy injuries were associated with falls (34%), either from a toy, such as a tricycle, or onto a toy or a related item, such as a toy box. A further 22% of injury cases occurred when the child was struck by, or collided, with a toy and 6% were cutting/piercing injuries.

Nature of injury: Open wounds were the most common injury, occurring in 33% of cases. Foreign bodies were also common, occurring in 23% of cases, as were superficial wounds, occurring in 11% of cases.

Body region: Head and face injuries constituted 14% and 27% of injuries, respectively. Also common were foreign bodies in the nose (9%) and foreign bodies in alimentary tract (7%).

Source: VEMD, Jan '02 – Dec ‘07
Figure 2: Toy–related injury ED presentations by body region injured (n=2,843)

Location: Most of these injuries occurred in the home (77%). This is not surprising given that the home is where young children spend most of their time.

Discharge status: Of the 2,843 ED presentations, 90% were discharge to home and 9% of young children [predominantly injuries to the face and head (30%)] were admitted to hospital.

Prevention: Inspect the toy to see whether it looks well-designed and well made with no sharp points or edges as sharp point can easily injure children. Check for choking hazards, especially small parts which can easily be put into the mouth, nose or ears. Check labels for age recommendations and instructions for use.

Further information:
Further information is available from the following websites:
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission:
http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/614118
KidSafe Victoria :
http://www.ocsc.vic.gov.au/ocsc_childsafe_messages/downloads_csm/christmastoys.pdf
Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs:
http://www.consumer.gov.au/html/pdf/safetoys.pdf