Ensuring child safety is critical to help reduce the risk of injury and death for infants, children and adolescents.

The types of risk vary based on the age group of a child or adolescent.

• Infants and young children are at greater risk of accidental asphyxia deaths, which often result from unsafe sleeping environments and parents co-sleeping with their children. Sadly, they are also at greater risk of homicide by abuse and neglect.
• Adolescents are at greater risk of motor vehicle accidents, suicide, and drug overdoses.
• All age groups are at risk of drowning, especially children between ages one and four.

Resources to prevent accidents and deaths for children and adolescents:

Accidental Overdoses/Over-the-Counter Medications

• FDA Use Caution When Giving Cough and Cold Products to Kids
• Medication Safety Program (CDC)
• The Partnership for a Drug-Free Kids
• Pain in the Drain Medicine Disposal Program
• Proper Medication Disposal
• Substance Abuse (Healthy Children)

Choking

• Choking Prevention (Healthy Children)
• Choking Prevention for Children
• Pool Safely: Simple Steps Save Lives

Furniture Hazards

• Anchor It and Protect A Child (CPSC)
• Preventing TV and Furniture Tip-Over Deaths

Medical Safety

• Medical Device Safety (MedlinePlus)
• NVEnergy: Life Support Equipment

Poisoning

• Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Center

Road Traffic Injuries

• Car Safety Seats (Healthy Children)
• Child Safety (NHTSA)
• Child Passenger Safety (NSC)

Safe Sleeping

• Crib Safety Tips (CPSC)
• Help Your Baby Sleep Safely (Healthy Children)
• Reduce the Risk of SIDS (Healthy Children)
• SUID and SIDS: Parents and Caregivers (CDC)

Sports Injuries

• HEADS UP to Youth Sports (CDC)
• Sports Injury Prevention Tips (Healthy Children)

Suicide

• Children’s Mental Health (CDC)
• Suicide Prevention for Children (Healthy Children)

Weapons

• Gun Safety (MedlinePlus)
• Gun Safety: Keeping Children Safe (Healthy Children)