This site was created in cooperation with the Regional Homeland Security Coordinating Committee, and is supported by funding from the Department of Homeland Security.
Many injuries to children can be prevented
The national rate for deaths related to unintentional injuries among children ages 14 and under declined nearly 40 percent from 1987 to 2000. However, unintentional injury remains the leading cause of death among children from birth through age 14 in the United States.
Each year, nearly 120,000 children are permanently disabled by unintentional injuries. One out of every four children sustains injuries serious enough to require medical attention each year. These injuries have enormous financial, emotional and social effects not only on the child and the family, but also on the community and society as a whole.
In general, children are most at risk of unintentional injury-related death from motor vehicles, pedestrian and bicycle accidents, drowning, fire and burns, airway obstruction, unintentional firearm injuries, falls and poisoning.
The annual lifetime cost of these types of injuries among children ages birth to 14 is nearly $303.4 billion.
- Make sure children wear helmets every time they ride bicycles or skateboard.
- Make sure each child is safely secured in a car seat or seat belt when riding in an automobile.
- Supervise children closely.
Prevention is the best way to keep your kids safe and healthy!
- Bicycle Helmets: Bicycle helmets should fit snugly on the head. The secret is in the straps. Adjusting the helmet straps so the helmet stays in place when you pull it forward and side to side will give you the best fit. The helmet should sit right above the eyebrows, not on the back of the head. Using a bicycle helmet can reduce the risk of serious head injury by 85 percent.
- Car Seats: Choosing and using a car seat correctly makes a big difference in safety. Child passenger safety seats must be installed correctly to be the most effective. Make sure you follow the car seat manufacturer’s instructions and your vehicle’s instructions on installing the seat.
For more information, contact your local emergency management office.