Childhood Injury Prevention Handbook

Children’s of Alabama

COMMON INJURY TYPES BY AGE

Preschool (Ages 1–5)

Injuries are the leading cause of death in preschoolers, causing more death and disability than all the contagious diseases combined. The preschooler is the great explorer—curious, impulsive, independent, fearless and fast. DROWNING • This is the leading cause of death in children 1–4 years old. Children should always be closely supervised around water. If you have a home pool, it should have a four-sided fence at least 48 inches tall with a self-closing, self-latching gate. Preschoolers should wear a US Coast Guard-approved life jacket when in and around pools or open water. FIREARMS • Even children as young as 2 years old are capable of pulling a trigger of a gun. Firearms should be kept LOCKED AND UNLOADED with ammunition stored and locked separately. A cable lock is a good method to keep your gun secure.

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