According to the National Safety Council and the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, the causes of injuries to children in America are varied. Childhood visits to emergency rooms and urgent care can be broken down based on the age group. The youngest kids suffer from conditions relating to birth and development. The next oldest suffer from unintentional injuries and issues present at birth. Kids five to fourteen years of age suffer from accidents, suicide, and cancer.
The following is a brief list and description of some of the major culprits of childhood injuries and fatalities:
- Approximately 12,000 children (ages 19 and younger) die due to accidents, i.e. unintentional injuries;
- Falls account for approximately 8,000 emergency-room visits a day;
- A further 254,000 kids are injured and approximately 100 die every year in bicycle-related accidents;
- For children between the ages of one and four, drowning is the leading cause of accidental injury deaths. While the leading locations for drowning deaths are in open water sites and residential pools, children can drown in as little as one inch of water;
- For children under one, choking is the leading cause of accidental injury deaths; and
- Approximately 2,000 children die every year from injuries incurred in the home including drowning, firearms, choking, poisoning, fire/burns, and suffocation.
Common Injuries and Fatalities by Age
Ages One and Under
Choking and suffocation are the leading causes of infant injuries and deaths. Infants also die from complications related to birth and developmental issues. For example, children often suffer fatalities due to premature births or complications during delivery.
Ages One to Four
Drowning is the most common cause of fatality among kids ages 1-4. Falls account for more than 50% of non-fatal injuries, however. Young children are also the unintended victims of gunshots, unintentional poisoning, and burns.
Ages Five to Fourteen
Car crashes are the leading cause of death for this age group. Children ages five to fourteen also have higher rates of suicide and long-term health problems (such as cancer). The leading cause of non-fatal injuries for adolescents is falls, followed by animal attacks and insect stings or bites.