Childhood injuries
Injuries to children, usually through accidents, are a serious problem in Australia. We are among the worst countries in the world for this problem.
Injury is the most common cause of death between the ages of one and 14. The death rate from injury for Aboriginal children is nearly 4 times that of non-Aboriginal children. Boys are twice as likely to die from injury than girls; country children are at much greater risk than those from metropolitan areas.
The most common causes for these tragedies are motor accidents, drowning, suffocation/asphyxiation (choking), burns and poisoning.
Although ‘accidents will happen’ is a true enough saying, most can be prevented. All parents should think about:
- car restraints for children;
- bicycle helmets;
- swimming pool safety;
- not leaving drugs or chemicals in accessible places; and
- the dangers of fire.
Last Reviewed: 31 May 2000
