1- to 4-year-old age group experiences the highest overall injury rate for any age group under the age of 15.
More children die from unintentional accidents each year than from any other cause. The rates of unintentional injuries are generally higher among male teenagers aged 15 to 19 years, youngsters from low-income homes, and people of colour. In remote locations, some injuries also happen more frequently.
Although these demographic risk factors cannot be changed, environmental and behavioural dangers, such as dangerous driving, drinking while intoxicated, swimming pools that are not fenced in, and homes without smoke detectors, can be successfully changed with the right techniques.
The three most frequent unintentional accidents that resulted in fatalities among children aged 0 to 19 in 1996 were drowning, motor vehicle occupant, and pedestrian injuries. Although rates varied, these mechanisms together accounted for more than half of all unintentional injury deaths among children and teenagers.
