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Introduction Inflatable amusement attractions, structures that are air-supported and inflated by a blower, have recently gained popularity. The purpose of this study was to describe the epidemiology of inflatable-related injuries presenting to Canadian emergency departments. Methods The Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP) is an injury and poisoning surveillance system presently operating in the emergency departments of all 11 pediatric and 4 general hospitals across Canada. The CHIRPP was searched for cases of injuries associated with commercial inflatable amusement structures. Results Overall, 674 cases were identified over the 20-year surveillance period, during which time the average annual percent increase was 24.6% (95% CI: 21.6, 27.7). Children aged 2 to 9 years were the most frequently injured (59.3/100 000 CHIRPP cases), and fractures accounted for 34.5% of all injuries. Conclusion A sharp increase in emergency department visits for injuries associated with commercial inflatable amusement structures has been observed in recent years. Injury mechanisms could be mitigated by product design modifications and stricter business operational practices.

Introduction Due to space constraints, bunk beds are a common sleeping arrangement in many homes. The height and design of the structure can present a fall and strangulation hazard, especially for young children. The primary purpose of this study was to describe bunk bed-related injuries reported to the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP), 1990–2009. Methods CHIRPP is an injury and poisoning surveillance system operating in 11 pediatric and 4 general emergency departments across Canada. Records were extracted using CHIRPP product codes and narratives. Results Over the 20-year surveillance period, 6002 individuals presented to Canadian emergency departments for an injury associated with a bunk bed. Overall, the frequency of bunk bed-related injuries in CHIRPP has remained relatively stable with an average annual percent change of 21.2% (21.8% to 20.5%). Over 90% of upper bunk-related injuries were due to falls and children 3–5 years of age were most frequently injured (471.2/100 000 CHIRPP cases). Conclusion Children with bunk bed-related injuries continue to present to Canadian emergency departments, many with significant injuries. Injury prevention efforts should focus on children under 6 years of age.

Injury in Review, 2012 Edition: Spotlight on Road and Transport Safety, the first national public health report of its kind, synthesizes road- and transport-related injury statistics from a variety of sources. It profiles injury patterns among Canadians aged up to 24 years, explains risks and protective factors, and makes recommendations for action. The findings inform the development of targeted injury prevention efforts. Language: en