Computer-caused injuries at home

Like in US, more here get hurt at home knocking into keyboards and table legs than at work

ACCOUNT manager Cherie Tan has lost count of the number of knocks and bruises she got from computer-related accidents.

"At home, I'm always knocking my knee against the side of the computer keyboard and against the computer table's leg. People sometimes wonder why I have so many bruises," the 25-year-old said.

Like her, human-resource assistant Izyan Ronedin has had her fair share of such injuries.

The 23-year-old said: "Most of the time when I'm charging my laptop at home, I'd forget that the wire is on the floor and I'd trip on it and fall. Dropping my laptop on my feet is also not something new to me."

Those like them told my paper that they get injured this way more commonly at home than at work.

Most of the incidents involve tripping and falling over the computer or laptop wires, and knocking against the computer table.

A study in the American Journal Of Preventive Medicine said that 9,300 Americans suffer from computer-caused injuries like cuts and bruises every year.

The research showed that the majority of computer-related injuries more than nine in 10 such injuries happened at home.

While homes here are relatively safe, there is much that homeowners can do to prevent themselves from, well, tripping up.

Mr Vincent Ang, 34, an interior designer, said: "More people are opting for wireless networks for example, broadband and wi-fi and this helps to decrease the risks of computer-related accidents."

The other thing they can do is to place sockets at levels higher than the computer tables.

"We normally try to put the sockets above the tables and not at a low level, to prevent people from tripping over their computer or television wires," he said.

Dr Tho Kum San, an orthopaedic surgeon from Island Orthopedic Group, said that injuries, even those sustained in a simple fall, could lead to something more devastating.

He said awareness is the most important aspect in preventing injuries at home.

"Electrical points and plugs must be protected and switched off when not in use. Wires should not be snaking round the room and heavy monitors must be securely fixed. It's lots of common sense mixed with awareness to keep yourself safe at home," he added.