Risk of injury per hour of exposure to consumer products

The aim of this study was to determine and compare the risk of injury per hour of use for a range of consumer products. Exposure data was derived from interviewing a large sample of adults about their use of 76 common kitchen, do-it-yourself and household products. This was combined with hospital sample data for injuries involving each product, to yield the risk-of-injury-per-hour-of-use. Powered cutting equipment, access equipment (ladders and scaffording) and products with sharp blades were shown to have a comparatively high risk, along with cycles, sunbeds, creosote, cement, car jacks and exercise weights. Perceived risk was shown to be a poor basis for priority setting, but a practical guide to priority for preventive action can be provided by ‘mapping’ products on a plot of the risk of injury per hour os use vs the total medical costs of such accidents.