10,000 Kiwis hurt using mobile phones
New figures from ACC show almost 10,000 Kiwis have made claims for injuries involving mobile phones in the past five years.
The figures show that between 2018 and 2022, ACC accepted 9868 claims for injuries involving mobile phones, with most claims for soft tissue injuries like strains, sprains, and bruises.
The data includes claims in which mobile phones were mentioned in the accident description on the ACC claim form.
It shows there are many ways New Zealanders are getting injured while using their mobile devices.
The most common cause of injury was a loss of balance or personal control, but that was closely followed by lifting, carrying, or straining; collisions/ being knocked over; twisting; and tripping or stumbling.
The most injured area was the face, followed by the lower back and neck. While soft tissue injuries were the most common, other claimants suffered cuts, dental injuries, and fractures or dislocations. More than 350 people reported getting an object in their eye.
ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker says the data shows the dangers of being distracted by mobile phones.
He says in the past five years, ACC has spent more than
$12.5 million helping people to recover from injuries that involved mobile devices.
‘‘Research shows 90% of all injuries are preventable, and mobile phone injuries are no different,’’ Whitaker says. ‘‘The data shows there are a variety of ways Kiwis are being injured while using their phones. While they are an important part of our everyday lives, they can also be a hazard if they cause us to become distracted from other things we’re doing.
‘‘They can also cause injuries if we drop them on parts of our body like our faces and mouths.
‘‘These injuries don’t just affect the injured person – they may affect their friends, family, and workmates as well.’’
Whitaker says these injuries can be prevented if we slow down and take the time to think about our daily activities.
Multi-tasking while using phones can lead to injuries, so everyday activities like household chores and walking outside should be done without added distractions, he says. While injuries are being reported across all age-groups, the data shows people aged between 15 and 29 are the most likely to be injured while using a mobile phone.