Painful finger-trapping accidents are far more common than you might think. Did you know a staggering 30,000 people trap and seriously crush their fingers in doors every year, according to RoSPA? And over 1,500 of these alarming incidents, particularly involving children, will require surgery.
In fact, plastic surgeons warn of the lifelong problems often experienced when children’s fingers are crushed in a closing door. According to the British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (BAPRAS), fingers crushed in a door could result in long-term pain or even amputation.
Who’s at Risk of Finger Trapping?
Although finger-trapping accidents are more common with children under five, older people and those with additional needs, a painful finger-crushing incident can happen to anyone. And every door presents a potential risk.
Hinge-Side Finger Trapping
Maybe surprisingly, a hinge-side finger-trapping incident can be extremely serious — fingers can easily be crushed, broken, or cut off completely. A hinge-side finger accident can potentially happen to anyone who places their fingers near the hinge side of an open door.
The Lifelong Implications of Finger Crushing
Did you know plastic and reconstructive surgeons more commonly see fingertip injuries than any other hand injury? Unfortunately, toddlers are at the most significant risk of a fingertip injury, and a shocking one in six of these injuries will result in amputation. According to BAPRAS, figures from just one London hospital over one year revealed that a significant 630 nailbed injury operations were caused by fingers becoming crushed in doors. And 40% of these operations were carried out on children.
Reducing the Risk of Finger Injury
An increased risk of finger-trapping incidents may occur in the following areas:
- High pedestrian traffic areas
- Settings that cater for children
- Queuing or waiting areas
- Changing rooms
- Areas that have fire doors
- Areas near entrances
- Toilets
- Areas that have heavy doors
- Areas where strong draughts can occur
Prevent Finger-Trapping Accidents with Finprotect Plus Finger Protection Guards
To help reduce the 30,000 finger-crushing incidents and many nail bed operations carried out on children every year, you need finger protection guards you can trust. Our Finprotect Plus range has been successfully tested and assessed to BS EN 1634-1:2014, so can be installed on fire-rated doors and provides fire protection regardless of the fire exposure direction.Quick and easy to install, Finprotect Plus finger protection guards will continue to provide finger protection and prevent injury year after year. Visit Finprotect Plus – ZEROplus or call 01785 282910 today.
