Comments on: Household hazard causes estimated 86,000 injuries/year

By: VMS

VMS — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:48:33 +0000

Why is the CDC spending tax dollars to restate the obvious? See below. I have a better idea, they should mandate the installation of foam rubber padding on all hard surfaces so that pet induced falls will not result in injury.
If people could sue their dogs for leaving the rawhide bone somewhere where it could cause a tripp hazard, maybe that would solve the problem. Wait! Sue the rawhide or pet toy manufacturer for failure to warn.

“Prevention measures for fall injuries should be balanced against the known health benefits of pet ownership (5). The likelihood of pet-related falls can be reduced by 1) raising public awareness that certain situations or activities, such as walking dogs and chasing pets, can lead to falls; 2) increasing recognition that pets and pet items can cause falls; and 3) reinforcing American Veterinary Medical Association recommendations emphasizing obedience training for dogs (3) to minimize behaviors associated with falls (e.g., pushing or pulling). “

By: BG

BG — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:09:56 +0000

Dunrobin, If I read the article right, this is one of the first times that dogs and cats were separated out from the “other” category in reasons for the fall. Safety issues are tracked to watch for faulty products and it seems this does contribute significantly to ER visits and fractures among those over 75. I doubt either the CDC or CPSC would ask for a ban on pets. The CPSC didn’t ask for the CPSIA and they are overwhelmed, by their own admission, in dealing with that fall-out. Unless they are masochistic they won’t ask for a ban on pets for the elderly.

Congress, however, does not seem to learn from its mistakes very quickly and just might take on the AARP.

By: Dunrobin

Dunrobin — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:24:57 +0000

Perhaps this is just a silly question, but how in the world could "Nonfatal Fall-Related Injuries Associated with Dogs and Cats" fall within the purview of the Center for DISEASE CONTROL, or the Consumer PRODUCT SAFETY Commission? I wasn't aware that dogs or cats were considered either diseases or products.

By: Tsiroth

Tsiroth — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:00:40 +0000

I have three cats in an 830 square foot apartment. One or another of them tries to kill me at least once a week. My husband and I have managed to avoid serious injury so far, but once our looming new home purchase introduces stairs to the equation, it’s only a matter of time.