Doors might seem safe, but they are dangerous. They can cause painful injuries, especially to children and vulnerable adults. When accidents happen, the consequences can be agonising and often involve serious entrapment injuries, requiring specialised care. The impact of hinges causes redness, broken bones, and even amputation in severe cases. Here are 5 reasons hinge-side injuries are more serious and need proper attention:
Hinge-side door accidents cause a stronger crushing force than latch-side accidents.
Children's fingers are small and easily get trapped in hinge gaps.
Many schools install hinge guards in schools to reduce risk.
These safety devices work well on many types of doors, including fire, retrofitted, and uPVC doors.
Door hinges can be a powerful pinch point. When doors close, the hinge gap can become very small, exerting strong pressure on anything that gets trapped in it. Fingers can be crushed within seconds. But this level of pressure is comparatively less on the latch side, which is why many schools now install high-quality hinge finger guard systems as a precautionary measure.
Door hinges move very differently from the latch side. They create a triangular gap that keeps getting smaller as the door closes. This quick movement doesn't allow for a swift reaction and causes severe finger entrapment injuries. So, installing durable finger guards for doors can prevent fingers from entering this moving gap and protect kids throughout the facility.
Young children, especially those between 3 and 8 years of age, are at maximum risk of hinge-side injuries. Their fingers are small enough to fit into this gap, and they also tend to play around doors, making them more likely to sustain hinge-side injuries than older adults. This is why it is recommended to utilise child-safe hinge guards in schools, especially in primary school, for overall safety.
Children are curious. They can easily put their fingers in the hinge gap out of curiosity. Hinges are also hidden compared to the latch side of a door, and children can trap fingers near the hinges by mistake. This gives children no time to react, leaving them with deep cuts, crushed finger tips, or broken bones. The visibility issue demands that facility managers utilise appropriate door safety products to cover the hinge gap and protect young children from door-related dangers.
Latch-side injuries can result in minor pinching, bruising, and redness. However, hinge-side injuries can include torn skin, crushed fingertips, nail damage, and fractures. The crushing force of hinges is quite severe, and so is the resulting damage.
Schools across the UK are improving door safety with necessary precautions. For this, door hinge guards are common, especially in primary classrooms and nurseries. Schools also conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential hazards and add protective equipment, such as full-length hinge finger guard covers, soft-close door mechanisms, fire doors in corridors, and finger guards on uPVC doors at entrances. School authorities also update their safety policies regularly and train staff for the unexpected.
Hinged-side door injuries are often more severe due to greater pressure, hidden gaps, and the way hinges move. Young children are especially vulnerable in schools and childcare settings. Installing reliable protection is one of the most effective ways to prevent these injuries.
For enhanced safety, it is wise to install durable finger guards from reputable safety suppliers on all school doors, regularly inspect the safety devices, and train staff and students to address worst-case scenarios.
Finger guards for doors are safety covers that block the gap around door hinges. They prevent fingers from getting trapped when the door opens or closes.
Hinge-side injuries are worse because the closing force is greater and the gap closes quickly, creating a crushing hazard.
Hinge guards are not always legally required, but most UK schools install them after risk assessments because child safety guidance recommends securing such spaces and eliminating preventable hazards.
Yes, many door safety products are specifically designed for uPVC doors, making them suitable for classrooms and school entrances.
Yes, specially designed finger guards for fire doors are easily available and can be used without affecting fire door safety compliance.