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An article, written by N.V. Doraiswamy titled "Isolated finger injuries in Children-incidence and aetiology", published in an international journal <<injury>> (Injury, Int. J. Care Injured, Volume 31, Issue 8, October 2000, Pages 571~573) disclosed that:

"......In a study, details were recorded prospectively in a specifically designed questionnaire for all children presenting to the Accident and Emergency Department with isolated finger injuries over a period of 6 months...  

Among the 426 injuries in 283 children, most  occurred at home (59%)  more in the <5 year age group (38%)...... "

"......"Jamming/crushing" was the commonest reason (48%), mostly caused by a child (59%) at the living room door (32%) and more commonly at the hinge side (49%), as the child is not under direct vision of the person closing the door.  It is less common for a child to cause self-injury while closing the door... 

But the present study indicates that a child closing the door is common (60%), although adults are also responsible for (25%) some of the incidents... 

Both children and adults should be educated about causation, reiterating that damage to fingers can be  prevented or reduced by observing safety measures......" 

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Injured, bruised, broken or even torn off fingers because of doors slamming shut.  Every year more than 40,000 children in the UK and 7,000 children in the Netherlands visit the Accident and Emergency department for treatment of these injuries......

Most incidents occur in the home as children play, but also happen often in nurseries and schools......

Finger injuries in schools are often more severe than at home due to automatic door closers which children are often unable to push open again once trapped.  40 tons per square inch of pressure is exerted at the door hinge and this can easily destroy a small child's hand......

......he became permanently handicapped at the very moment of the accident happened......

Hazard (Edition No.14) March 1993, Victorian Injury Surveillance System, Monash University Accident Research Centre stated that:

"...... the hinge side of the door to have caused 60% of the injuries.  The hinge side was more common for the under 5 year age group....."

Hazard (Edition No.10) March 1992, Victorian Injury Surveillance System, Monash University Accident Research Centre stated that:

"......Door injuries accounted for 9% of all indoor injury cases at schools.  The majority of cases examined suggest a lack of care by school children when closing doors so that when one child closed a door another child's fingers were jammed (55%). 

A typical example of "what happened" in such cases is:  "Door slammed closed, fingers caught in door" or "Playing and door slammed on finger by another child"......"

Hazard (Edition No.32) September 1997, Victorian Injury Surveillance System, Monash University Accident Research Centre stated that:

"......Child finger jam injuries more often involved another person (35%), especially another child (28%) eg. "Playing with older brother.  Fighting over closing of door.  Slammed finger in door"......"

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U.S. General Services Administration "Child Care Center Design Guide" (June 1998) Chapter 10, Technical Criteria (0.7.3 Doors):

"......It is essential that children's fingers be protected from being crushed or otherwise injured in the hinge space of a swinging door or gate......"

U.S. Air Force "AFI34-248 1 October 1999" Chapter 10.7 Other Dangers (10.7.6):

"......Have finger guards on activity room doors......"

U.K. Government Regulation 18-1 of the "Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Relations 1992":

"......Doors and gates shall be suitably constructed (including being fitted with any necessary safety devices)......"

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