Preventable, accidental injuries are the third leading cause of death for the first time in United States history, and children sadly are not immune. NSC data analysis released this month on Injury Facts show more than 2,000 children younger than 4 are killed each year accidentally. The five leading causes of these deaths – suffocation, motor vehicle crashes, drowning, fires and choking – may be top of mind for parents, but may not enter the national conversation as frequently as they should.
Because of the alarming upward trend in preventable deaths, the NSC is placing a particular emphasis on young child safety and parent education during National Safety Month, observed each June.