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- 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 – both around the home and when you’re out and about. Then 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.
The basics
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 incidents are more likely to be the kind that a kiss, cuddle or bandaid will fix, rather than one of the many serious accidents that happen in Australia each year.
Common injuries and accidents
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
- bicycle accidents.
What you can do
Keep an extra close eye on your children in situations where they’re most likely to get into difficulties. This includes when they’re:
- in the bath – you can 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 roads – read more about pedestrian safety and staying safe in the car
- visiting away from home.
It’s 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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- Last updated11-04-2011
- Last reviewed10-01-2011
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.
