- Suitable for 0-8Years
Childhood injuries: common causes
When you understand the most common causes of childhood injuries, you know what to look out for – around the home and out and about. You’re better prepared to keep your child safe.
Did you know
Accidental injuries, not diseases, are the biggest cause of death and disability in children under 15 years in Australia. Most of these injuries can be prevented.
It’s not possible – or even a good idea – to wrap your child in cotton wool. Bumps, bruises, scrapes and falls are all part of growing up for an active curious child. But with some practical steps and planning, these are more likely to be the kind that a kiss, a cuddle or a bandaid will fix, rather than one of the many serious accidents that occur each year.
What to be aware of
According to a 2009 report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the most common causes of childhood injuries (2006-2007) were:
- falls
- road accidents such as running out into traffic
- poisoning
- burns and scalds
- assault.
The most common causes of child deaths in Australia (2006-2007) were:
- traffic accidents
- drowning
- assault.
Other common causes of child deaths and injuries include:
- choking, strangling and suffocation
- crushing and trapping
- smoke, fire and flames
- falls
- poisoning
- bicycle accidents.
What you can do
Keep an extra close eye on your children in situations where they are most likely to get into difficulties. This includes when they are:
- in the bath – read more about bath safety
- in the kitchen – read more about household poisons and preventing burns and scalds
- at the pool or beach or near water – read more about safe fun with water
- near driveways, car parks and roadsides – read more about pedestrian safety and staying safe in the car
- visiting away from home.
It can be a big help to know what new exploits and explorations to expect from your children as they develop and grow. This makes it easier to anticipate new dangers that they might face, and makes it easier to protect them.
It’s also a good idea to practise some emergency procedures and have first-aid essentials on hand.You can also keep a list of emergency numbers by the phone.
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- More to explore
- Newborn safety: what to expect
- Safety and your baby: what to expect
- Toddler safety: what to expect
- Preschooler safety: what to expect
- School-age safety: what to expect
- Safe baby furniture
- Preventing falls for babies and toddlers
- Preventing strangulation and suffocation
- Preventing choking
- Bicycles, scooters and skateboards
- Last updated12-11-2009
- Last reviewed04-05-2006
- References
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2009). A picture of Australia's children (Report No. PHE 112). Retrieved on 6 November, 2009, from Australian Institute of Health and Welfare http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/phe/phe-112-10704/phe-112-10704.pdf
Lyons, R.A., Sander, L.V., Weightman, A.L., Patterson, J., Jones, S.A., Lannon, S., Rolfe, B., Kemp, A., Johansen, A. (2003). Modification of the home environment for the reduction of injuries. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 4.
Routley, V., & Ashby, K. (1997). Safe home design. Hazard, 32, 1-16.
