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The Surprising Odds of Being Injured by a Toilet

When we think about potential injuries, toilets are not usually the first thing that comes to mind. However, the odds of being injured by a toilet are surprisingly high—around 1 in 10,000. These injuries can occur in various ways, from slipping and hitting one’s head to small children falling in and drowning.

Frequency of Toilet-Related Injuries

Toilet-related injuries are more common than one might expect. In the United States, some estimates suggest that there are as many as 40,000 toilet-related injuries per year. Each year, approximately 235,000 individuals over the age of 15 seek medical attention in emergency rooms due to bathroom-related injuries, with nearly 14% of these occurring while using the toilet. For young children, the risk is significant, with 142,606 children ages 0-6 presenting to the emergency department from 2000 to 2019 due to toilet-related incidents.

Types of Toilet-Related Injuries

  • Infants and Toddlers: Young children are at risk of falling headfirst into toilet bowls and drowning.
  • Adults: Common injuries include bruised buttocks, dislocated hips from unexpectedly sitting on the toilet rim, or pinching from splits in plastic seats. There are also risks of the toilet collapsing or shattering under the user’s weight, or older high-tank cisterns detaching from the wall when flushed.
  • General Risks: People frequently sustain injuries by standing on toilets and slipping, or from slipping on wet bathroom floors and hitting the fixture.

Risk Factors

  • Age: Injury rates escalate with age, peaking after 85 years old.
  • Gender: Women have a 72% higher bathroom injury rate than men, possibly due to differences in physical activity, strength, bone density, or tendency to seek medical help.
  • Activities: The most perilous activities are bathing, showering, and exiting the tub or shower, contributing to over two-thirds of emergency room visits.

Prevention

  • Safety Equipment: Installing grab bars near toilets can significantly reduce injuries, especially for those 65 and older.
  • Toilet Paper: Using cheap, lesser ply toilet paper that breaks down easily can prevent clogs and backups that may lead to injuries.
  • Supervision: Keeping the toilet lid down when not in use prevents accidental falls, especially for young children.

Notable Incidents

Toilets have been the scene of some tragic and famous deaths. Elvis Presley, the legendary singer, passed away while on the toilet, bringing a shocking end to a monumental career. Similarly, King George II of Great Britain died from injuries sustained during a fall on the toilet.

Wikipedia has a list of famous people who have died while on the toilet.