Childhood Preventable Injuries and Deaths

Ana H. Corona, DNP, FNP-BC Nursing Professor September 2013 CDC, 2012

Childhood Preventable Injuries

 Every hour 1 child dies from an injury  1 in 5 child deaths is due to injury  Every 4 seconds a child is treated for an injury in an emergency department

Injury Pyramid

Injury Pyramid 145,655 Deaths 2,701,000 Hospitalizations 129,000,000 Emergency Department Visits 65,555,000 Visits to Office-based Physicians 59,550,000 Injuries Requiring Medical Attention National Center for Health Statistics (1999)

Problem Identification  Preventable injuries are the leading cause of death of children in the United States.

 Killing more than all childhood diseases combined.  Children < 5 years of age are at greatest risk.

Childhood Injury in California  California: – About 2,200 children suffer fatal injuries.

– 38,000 injuries require hospitalization.  United States: – >400 people die of injuries every day – 58 of the daily death toll are children  Childhood Preventable Injuries cost the United States: – >$11.5 billion per year.

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Top 6 leading causes of fatal and nonfatal childhood preventable injuries in the United States: 4,564 Motor Vehicle Accidents 1,160 983 Suffocation drowning 824 391 151 Poisoning Fire/Burn Falls

4,564 Deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents!

 Always use seat belts, child safety seats and booster seats that are correct for child’s age and weight  Use safe-driving agreements or contracts with teens

1,160 Deaths caused by Suffocation!

 Make sure infants sleep alone; place on their backs on a firm surface  Be sure crib meets safety standards  Avoid loose bedding or soft toys in crib

983 Deaths caused by drowning!

 Learn to swim – important for parents and kids  Use a four-sided fence with self-closing and self-latching gates around pool.

 Watch kids closely when they are in and around water

824 Deaths caused by Poisoning!

 Keep medicines away from children and teens.

 Keep cleaning solutions and other toxic products in originally packaging and where children can’t get them.

391 Deaths caused by Fire/Burn!

 Use smoke alarms – where people sleep and on every level of the home – and test monthly.  Create and practice a family fire escape plan.

 Install a home fire sprinkler system if possible.

151 Deaths caused by Falls!

 Use a soft landing surface on playgrounds (such as sand or wood chips, not dirt or grass).

 Use protective gear, like a helmet, during sports and recreation.

 Install protective rails on bunk beds and loft beds.

Let’s Keep Our Children Safe!