New studies suggest that injuries caused by falling toilet seats have increased among potty-training toddlers.
New studies suggest that injuries caused by falling toilet seats have increased over the years.
They’re still rare, but the primary group being hurt is young boys who are in the process of potty training.
Between 2002 and 2010 emergency rooms saw an increase in falling toilet-seat related cases at rate of 100 per year.
Toddlers are thought to be involved in the majority of the accidents as their motor skills haven’t developed enough to make the quick movements necessary to avoid impact.
Thankfully, the injuries typically don’t cause long-term or permanent damage, but some worry about the lingering psychological repercussions.
As the best treatment in cases like this is prevention, experts have offered some helpful tips for avoiding seat-related incidents altogether.
Picking a lighter or better-designed toilet seat is a good place to start. Heavy wood and ceramic models should be avoided altogether. Seats with mechanisms that slow their descent or u-shaped models are further recommended.
To guard against potential injuries away from home, teaching children to hold up the seat until they’re done using the toilet is another suggestion.
