Children are curious. They move fast and think differently from adults. The curiosity remains the same around doors, especially when entering or exiting an area. Many safety audits in the UK demonstrate that hinge-side finger entrapment injuries are common, especially with children under the age of 7. Schools in places like London and Manchester also report higher accident rates, and the management needs to curb this menace and maintain safety in the premises.
Why Are Finger Trapping Injuries So Common?
Finger injuries are common in schools and child care settings across the UK. Children can often sustain bruises, broken fingers, and loss of sensation. These injuries are preventable yet common, especially in poorly maintained doors, heavier fire doors, and those with high foot traffic. These are common because kids cannot always judge a door's speed or how to react around doors in general. Moving around at speed, especially when changing classes, during lunch break, or during playtime, is another reason entrapment injuries may be common.
What Safety Products Can Prevent Door Finger Injuries?
The most effective way to prevent door finger injuries is to install appropriate physical safety barriers that block access to common pinch points. Some widely used products to stop doors from causing crushing injuries can include:
Pinch guards
Soft-close hinges
Hydraulic closers
Doorstops
Clearly visible safety stickers, and more
These measures, along with staff supervision, can reduce hinge-side injuries by over 90%, especially when installed by professionals. It is also important to train kids and staff about door safety, especially around hinges and closing edges.
Are Finger Guards an Effective Safeguard Against Finger Injuries?
Definitely, finger guards for doors are effective at preventing injuries, as they can be attached along the hinge edge to avoid a sharp closing gap. When the door moves, the flexible guard can bend instead of trapping fingers. These are also tested for thousands of open-and-shut cycles, and even a single set can last over 5 years with proper maintenance. Schools prefer durable door guards because they work 24/7 without supervision and protect every child at all times.
Do UK Schools Legally Require Finger Guards?
UK schools aren't legally obligated to install door guards. The law states that schools and other educational institutions have a duty of care, meaning the administration must reduce known risks, such as finger entrapment injuries. This is why installing hinge guards in schools has become a widely recognised safety measure to mitigate foreseeable risks, such as finger injuries.
In addition, schools that install such preventive measures can demonstrate to auditors, visitors, employees, kids, parents, and management that they took reasonable steps to improve the safety of the premises.
Choose The Right Solutions to Improve School Safety
Remember, finger injuries can be devastating, but they are also preventable. It is important to choose guards that can meet the necessary safety standards, be used in high-traffic corridors, are easy to clean, offer full hinge coverage, and are tested for durability. Using the right supplier is also important so these fixings can stop doors from slamming on kids' fingers.
Key Summary
Door entrapment injuries are common. Most incidents happen at the hinge side of poorly maintained or heavy fire doors. Finger guards are an effective solution to reduce injuries by 90%. These suggest compliance with the duty of care and improve safety by preventing doors from slamming abruptly on kids' fingers.
FAQs about How to Stop Doors from Slamming on Kids' Fingers
1. How can schools stop doors from slamming on children’s fingers?
To prevent a door from slamming onto children's fingers, you should install the right safety measures. These include soft door closers, finger guards, PVC curtains, and more.
2. Are finger guards for doors effective in UK schools?
Yes, finger guards can reduce hinge-side finger injuries by more than 90%. They should be installed by professionals and regularly maintained for optimal results.
3. Are hinge guards in schools required by law in the UK?
Using finger guards isn't specifically mandated by law, but schools are required to control known risks, including finger-trapping hazards, making finger guards an important safety measure.
4. How long do door finger guards last in schools?
Finger guards installed in corridors, toilets, classrooms, and other shared spaces can last around 5 years with daily use, provided they are correctly installed and maintained.
5. How important is it to choose the right door finger guard supplier?
It is absolutely important to choose the right supplier to buy high-quality products. Door guards are essential safety devices, and you should invest in quality products to maintain school safety.