Computer injuries are increasing

By Stephanie Harris, WAVY-TV 10 - 6/10/2009

See video here.

NORFOLK, Va. - If you use a computer, look out. A new study shows the number of computer-related injuries increased 732% in the last 12 years. Most injuries are in children under five.

WAVY.com asked a childproofing expert and emergency room doctor from Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters to point out the problems and solutions.

Dr. Joel Clingenpeel highlighted potential dangers in his office space, which he says are similar to the ones that could be in your home.

The first big problem he spotted was hanging chords. "This reminds me of a noose and a little kid could easily get their head in here and strangle themselves," he said.

He said a simple fix is to use a chord control kit that opens up so you can put chords inside and run it along the back of the wall beneath the computer.

Another problem he noticed was equipment sitting too close to the edge of the table. "One of the things we want to do is move things far from the edge. You could open this (paper tray) and pull on it and the whole thing could come down rather easily," he said.

You can protect little fingers with a velcro cover that easily fits over your PC.

If you can, get wireless remotes for video games, lock the game cabinet when kids aren't playing and when they're on the computer make sure the chair fits them and they can easily reach the keyboard.

Adults who sit at computers all day long are also getting injured more. Most complain of back pain, eye strain and carpal tunnel.

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