"Over 200 Sink Safety Accidents Occur Annually"…Consumer Agency Issues Safety Alert

693 Safety Incidents Related to Washbasins in the Past 3 Years
Many Injuries from Skin Lacerations and Cuts Caused by Broken Washbasin Fragments

[Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The Fair Trade Commission and the Korea Consumer Agency issued a safety advisory on the 8th, stating that more than 200 safety incidents related to washbasins occur annually, including cases where washbasins break while people lean on or sit on them, causing injuries.

According to the Consumer Agency, a total of 693 safety incidents related to washbasins were reported to the Consumer Hazard Monitoring System over the past three years (2018?2020), with more than 200 incidents occurring each year.

Specifically, 'cracking, breakage, or bending' of washbasins accounted for 378 cases (54.5%), the highest number. This was followed by 242 cases (34.9%) of consumers 'bumping into' washbasins, 47 cases (6.8%) of 'falls' from washbasins involving infants and young children, and 14 cases (2.0%) related to 'sharpness or poor finishing.'

Incidents involving cracking, breakage, or bending mostly included cases where ▲ the washbasin collapsed causing consumer injuries, and ▲ cases where the washbasin broke while consumers were applying weight by leaning on it, sitting on it, or wiping their feet on it.

Among bumping incidents, 57.9% (140 cases) involved infants and young children. Many cases involved bumping the forehead, lips, or chin against the washbasin while washing or brushing teeth in the bathroom, or when sitting down or standing up.

Most fall incidents occurred among children aged 0 to 5, with safety incidents involving 0-year-olds accounting for 31.9% (15 cases). These were analyzed as resulting from caregiver negligence while washing infants at the washbasin, highlighting the need for special caution.

Accordingly, the Consumer Agency urged the public to ▲ refrain from washing young children at the washbasin due to the risk of falls ▲ supervise infants and young children to prevent bumping or injuries when using the bathroom and educate them not to play in the bathroom ▲ avoid leaning on or sitting on the washbasin or washing feet on it by applying body weight ▲ use chairs or ladders instead of stepping on the washbasin when changing bathroom light bulbs or reaching for items placed high ▲ and have the washbasin inspected by professionals if cracks appear.