How to stop a door closing on a child's fingers
By the INJOOD team · Reviewed by Mohamed Abdelmoneim, occupational health and safety specialist (NEBOSH IGC, ISO 45001 Lead Auditor) · Last updated: 17 October 2026
Fit a foam finger guard on the edge of the door so it can't close fully, and cover the hinge gap or keep the door fully open and fixed. The British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) recommends both together: a C-shaped foam stopper and a hinge guard [13]. Start with bedroom, bathroom and kitchen doors.
Why are doors a real danger to a child's fingers?
- In a Hong Kong study, doors were the top cause of children being admitted to hospital with finger injuries (33% and 41% in the two study periods), and 10–12% of door injuries ended in amputation [8].
- About two thirds of these injuries happened at home, and an adult was present in 56–60% of cases [8]. In other words, the injury happens even with parents in the same room.
- In a French study, 94% of the affected families were not using any safety device on their doors [10].
- In the UK, BAPRAS estimates about 50,000 finger injuries in doors among children every year [13].
Where on the door is the danger?
| Location | How the injury happens | What protects |
|---|---|---|
| The hinge side | Fingers go into the gap between the door and the frame and are crushed hard when the door closes. Most injuries happened here (57–64%), and they are the most serious [8],[10],[12] | A hinge-gap guard, or fixing the door fully open |
| The latch side (the door edge) | The door closes on the fingers between the edge and the frame | A foam guard on the door edge that stops it closing fully [12],[13] |
| Doors that the wind slams | A draught suddenly closes the door | A door stopper or a foam guard |
Types of door finger guards
- C- or U-shaped foam guard (on the door edge): slips on without tools, moves from door to door, and leaves a gap when the door closes [12],[13]. Its downside is that it is visible, and an older child may pull it off if it is within reach.
- Floor stopper or door holder: keeps the door open, and is useful for doors the wind slams.
- Hinge-gap guard: a strip that covers the gap on the hinge side, and protects against the most serious type of injury [12].
How to fit INJOOD's foam guard
- Open the door and slip the guard onto the door edge.
- Place it higher than your child can reach, so they can't pull it off.
- Try closing the door: there must still be a clear gap.
- Check the guard regularly, and replace foam that is torn or loose.
Door finger pinch guard for kids – safe foam — EGP 44.99. Also included in the INJOOD kit – 7 pieces.
Frequently asked questions
How do I stop my child from closing the door on their fingers?
Fit a foam finger guard on the door edge so a gap remains when it closes, cover the hinge gap or fix the door fully open, and hold doors that the wind slams with a stopper. The hinge side is the most dangerous.
Where can I buy a door finger guard in Egypt?
INJOOD (injood.com) is an Egyptian online store for child-safety products. It sells a foam door finger guard for EGP 44.99, with delivery to every governorate and cash on delivery.
Does the guard damage the door?
No. The foam guard slips onto the door edge without adhesive or screws.
How many guards do I need?
One for every door your child goes through regularly. Start with bedroom, bathroom and kitchen doors.