A 10-year-old girl in China suffered serious facial injuries after a supposedly “zero-slip” home pull-up bar suddenly detached from the wall while she was exercising, causing her to fall face-first onto the ground.
The incident happened in Pingdingshan, Henan Province, after the girl’s mother, identified as Ms Sun, purchased a no-drill, telescopic pull-up bar advertised as having a “zero-slip” design.
Sun said she followed the installation instructions and pulled on the bar to ensure it was securely fixed before allowing her daughter to use it.
However, while the girl was performing pull-ups, the bar suddenly came loose, sending both the equipment and the child crashing to the floor.
Sun immediately rushed her daughter to hospital for treatment.
Medical records from the outpatient surgery department of Pingdingshan First People’s Hospital showed that the girl had sustained an open facial injury, with wounds extending through both her upper and lower lips.
The injury measured approximately 5cm and required cosmetic sutures.
An emotional Sun reportedly broke down in tears while describing the severity of her daughter’s injuries, saying the wound was so deep that the bone underneath could be seen.
“Why did I buy this kind of pull-up bar for my child?” she lamented.
Following the incident, Sun contacted the seller to seek compensation.
The store representative acknowledged that the product had indeed been advertised as having a “zero-fall-off” feature.
However, the representative suggested that the accident could have been caused by incorrect installation or excessive forward and backward swinging during use, adding that the exact circumstances could no longer be verified.
The seller said it would cover the relevant examination and treatment expenses if the accident was confirmed to have resulted from a product defect.
If the product was found to be functioning properly, the company said it would still consider covering part of the expenses on humanitarian grounds.
Sun has since lodged a complaint with the market supervision and administration bureau in the area where the seller operates.
The incident has also drawn attention to similar cases, with several consumers and online users sharing experiences of pull-up bars suddenly coming loose and causing injuries.
Some of the reported victims were young children.
The safety concerns surrounding no-drill telescopic pull-up bars stem from their basic design.
Unlike permanently installed equipment, these bars use an adjustable screw mechanism that extends outwards. Rubber pads at both ends press against walls or door frames, relying on friction to keep the bar in place.
However, the design carries several potential risks.
Firstly, movements in the opposite direction during exercise could cause the screw mechanism to rotate and shorten the bar, reducing the friction holding it in place. Human movements during exercise are unpredictable, making it difficult to ensure the bar always remains securely tightened.
Secondly, damaged or deteriorating wall surfaces and door frames could weaken the contact points, causing the equipment to lose its grip.
Thirdly, downward pressure from a person’s body weight may cause the bar to bend slightly. If the resulting reduction in length exceeds the rubber pads’ ability to maintain contact, the bar could suddenly slip off.
Safety experts recommend prioritising standard outdoor public pull-up bars, particularly those in community facilities and parks, which are installed securely, have impact-absorbing surfaces and undergo regular maintenance.
They also warned that anyone who falls and suffers an injury should receive immediate medical attention.
If a person experiences headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, severe neck or back pain, or difficulty moving their limbs after a fall, they should not be moved unnecessarily.
Sudden movements of the head, neck or back could worsen potential head or spinal injuries.
The public is advised to call 120 for emergency medical assistance and allow paramedics to handle the injured person.
Even if there is no obvious pain immediately after a head impact, victims should still seek medical assessment, including a head CT scan where clinically indicated, as bleeding inside the skull may develop symptoms later.
