Door Finger Injuries and Their Prevention

Three reported stories underscore the potentially tragic finger accidents that can occur in connection with doors. In Palo Alto, California, an 11-year-old lost a fingertip in a restroom-door accident. Despite a normal level of supervision by staff, a toddler of 20 months lost a portion of his finger while at a child-care center. And, a boy celebrating his 4th birthday had his finger partially amputated by a restroom door at a McDonald’s restaurant.

Accident statistics reveal that these stories represent the proverbial “tip of the iceberg”

• 300,000 door-finger injuries per year treated at emergency clinics
• 25,000 of these resulting in amputations or fractures

Door-finger accidents occur on both the handle side and the hinge side of the door.  The handle-side accidents are more common, but generally less severe. Conversely, the hinge-side accidents are less common but generally more severe.  For this reason, some people familiar with the door-finger hazard refer to the hinge side of the door as the “amputation side of the door.”

Fortunately, door-finger accidents can be prevented.  On the handle side, the traditional protective device is a foam “donut” that slips over the edge of the door and prevents the door from closing.

Boxiki Kids has provided this four pack of cute, colorful door slam stoppers is a great solution to keep small fingers safe and unharmed. Made with adorable animal designs, they are fun for children and easy to see at a glance for adults. In addition to protecting fingers, the soft stoppers also will prevent doors from closing completely, so you’ll never have to worry about a child or a pet accidentally closing and locking a door and becoming trapped behind it.