High Chair Injuries on the Rise: 9,400 Children Killed Every Year

Of course, a high chair seems harmless, but did you know that every year, approximately 9,400 children in the United States are injured falling off of these.

According to Live Science, doctors stress their dangers despite perceived safety measures companies have taken for their products.

According to a recent study, it showed that from 2003 to 2010, the number of injuries involving high chairs increased by 22 percent, with head injuries being the most common, followed by bumps, cuts and bruises.

"We know that over the recent years, millions of chairs have been recalled in the U.S. because of not meeting safety standards. But usually, a very low percentage of recalled products are actually returned," said lead study author Dr. Gary Smith, the director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, via the news organization. "Maybe even more concerning, the rate of head injuries has increased by almost 90 percent between 2003 and 2010, and I think it begs the question, what's going on?"

Researchers aren't certain as to why injuries are increasing. However, Smith said they know that high chairs, as well as booster seats, can be dangerous for several reasons. First off, the high elevation can make it easy for children to reach higher up objects that may cause them to fall or hurt themselves.

Unfortunately, parents or caregivers may also not be strapping their children in properly.

"When it was documented what the child was doing immediately prior to a fall, two-thirds of those children were either climbing or standing in the chair. Which tells us that one of the things that parents need to remember is those children need to be strapped in... to prevent those kinds of injuries," Smith said, via NBC News.

Child safety expert and research manager at the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Tracy Mehan, also stresses the importance of checking the product for safety before use. For instance, making sure the product box or brochure is either from JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association) or ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials).

More information regarding the study can be found via the journal Clinical Pediatrics.