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Safekids Aotearoa
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Child Injuries From Objects in Aotearoa: Insights and Prevention Strategies

Understanding Injuries From Objects

“Injuries from objects” refers to trauma caused by contact with inanimate items. These injuries commonly include:

  • Cut or pierce injuries

  • Striking against or being struck by objects

  • Caught‑in, crushed, jammed, or pinched mechanisms

As frontline clinicians, public health workers, and community partners, understanding the mechanisms and prevention opportunities is essential to reducing harm.

Data Insights

Injuries caused by inanimate mechanical forces remain a significant cause of tamariki hospitalisations across Aotearoa. Between 2019 and 2023, 2028 children were admitted to hospital due to preventable injuries in the home. As frontline clinicians, public health workers, and community partners, understanding the mechanisms and prevention opportunities is essential to reducing harm.

Children 0–4 years old experience the highest burden, with males hospitalised more frequently than females. Common household and recreational items involved include:

  • Knives, scissors, and glass

  • Furniture (including toppling hazards)

  • Sports equipment

  • Garden tools and powered equipment

  • Doors causing finger crush injuries

Making the Whare Safer: Key Conversations for Health Professionals

Health professionals play a critical role in passing on knowledge about how to keep our tamariki safe. Below are evidence‑informed safety messages suitable for discussions in community settings:

Furniture and Household Items

Encourage caregivers to:

  • Secure TVs to walls or stable furniture; older models should sit on low, sturdy bases

  • Anchor top‑heavy furniture (dressers, bookshelves, mirrors) with brackets, braces, or wall straps

  • Install drawer stops to prevent children pulling drawers out fully

  • Place heavy items low on shelves or in cupboards

  • Use drawer locks to prevent children opening and climbing on dresser or tallboy drawers

  • Store tempting items (toys, food) out of sight so children aren't tempted to climb to reach them

Kitchen Safety

The kitchen contains many sharp or breakable hazards. Recommend that whānau:

  • Store knives, forks, scissors, and sharp utensils in locked drawers

  • Place glasses and breakable dishes up high and out of reach

  • Store appliances with blades (blenders, food processors) in locked cupboards.

  • Keep babies and toddlers well away from dishwashers when loading/unloading

  • Teach older children how to safely use kitchen appliances

Around the Home and Outdoors

Advise caregivers to:

  • Use safety glass in windows, doors, and furniture when possible or put stickers on glass doors to make them visible to tamariki

  • Remove or cover sharp or pointed objects in play areas

  • Operate ride‑on mowers well away from children and never allow children to ride on them as well as auto lawn mowers

  • Provide active supervision for older kids around garden tools and keep young children away from machinery.

  • Hang a tea towel over the top of doors to prevent them fully closing and causing finger crush injuries

Supporting Safer Homes Across Aotearoa
Reducing mechanical force injuries requires a partnership between health professionals, caregivers, and community organisations. By providing practical prevention guidance we can help reduce the number of children hospitalised from these preventable injuries. For more information, reach out to us at safekidsaotearoa@adhb.govt.nz.