Understanding child injuries

Childhood bumps, bruises, scrapes and falls are often part of growing up.

With some practical steps and planning, you can make it more likely that these incidents will be the kind that a kiss, cuddle or bandaid will fix rather than serious accidents.

Injuries, not diseases, are the biggest cause of death in children aged 1-14 years in Australia. Most of these injuries can be prevented.

Common child injuries and accidents: causes

Most common causes of child injuries in Australia

1. Falls
2. Road accidents – for example, when children are pedestrians, cyclists or passengers in vehicles
3. Crushing and trapping
4. Poisoning
5. Burns and scalds

Most common causes of child deaths from injuries in Australia

1. Road accidents
2. Drowning

Other common causes of child deaths and injuries in Australia

• Choking, strangling and suffocation
• Crushing and trapping
• Smoke, fire and flames
• Poisoning

Assault is also a common cause of injury-related death in children. Children have a right to grow up safe from abuse. You can get support if you feel like you might hurt your child or you’re experiencing family violence. If you need support right now, call Lifeline on 131 114 or the National Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

What you can do to prevent serious child injuries

Supervise your child closely in situations where they’re most likely to get into difficulties. This includes when your child is:

• in the bath – read more about drowning prevention in the bath and safe bath temperature
• in the kitchen – read more about household poisons, burns prevention and scalds prevention
• near or with anything that’s a choking hazard (smaller than a 20-cent coin), including food, toys and household items – read more about choking prevention
• in prams or strollers or around swings – read more about strangulation and suffocation prevention
• at the pool or beach or near water – read more about water safety
• near driveways, car parks and roads – read more about pedestrian safety and staying safe in the car
• in a new environment and are starting to move around more – read more about preventing falls.

What to do if your child is injured

It’s a very good idea for you or anyone caring for your child to do a first aid course. This means you’ll be prepared for injuries or accidents. First aid training is recommended every 3 years, and CPR training is recommended every year.

Always keep a first aid kit handy at home and in your car. You can take it with you when you go on holidays too.

You can also download or print our illustrated first aid guides:

• Burns and scalds first aid
• Choking first aid for children under one year
• Choking first aid for children over one year
• CPR for children under one year
• CPR for children over one year
• RICER first aid for sprains, strains and fractures.

Keep a list of emergency numbers in your phone. This might include the Poisons Information Centre (131 126), your GP or a local hospital.