Thursday, November 05, 2009
Hot tub injuries on the rise: study
Hot tub use has been on the rise in recent years, and so too has the rate of injuries associated with them, according to a new study from the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, OH. Unintentional injuries from hot tubs rose 160 percent to more than 6,600 injuries annually between 1990 and 2007.
Nearly three-quarters of people injured – most commonly from slips and falls – were older than 16. However, among children younger than 6, near-drownings were the most common cause of injury, and children ages 6-12 were most commonly injured while diving or jumping into the tub.
To prevent hot tub injuries, study authors suggest taking precautions such as installing a non-slip surface in and around the tub, limiting the time of hot tub exposure to 10-15 minutes, and ensuring the temperature is no higher than 104° F.
The study was published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.