Accidents are the number one killer of children.
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Accidents kill more children (ages 1-4) than birth defects, cancer, homicide, or heart disease. Motor vehicle accidents kill almost twice as many children than all forms of malignant cancer. You may not be able to cure the world of cancer, but you can help prevent accidents. Use a car seat properly, baby proof your home, and develop an eye for things that might be dangerous to your child. Nothing can take the place of a parent watching out for hazards to their child. Children get into trouble in a blink of an eye. They can drown in a bath when a parent turns to answer a phone or fall from a grocery cart when you reach towards another shelf. If there's a dangerous situation around, a child will find it. Be aware of the statistics listed below and take every possible step to safeguard your child. |
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Deaths and death rates for the 5 leading causes of death (Age 1-4 Years): United States, Preliminary 1995
| Rank |
Cause of death |
Number |
Rate |
| --- |
All causes |
6,355 |
40.4 |
| 1 |
Accidents and adverse effects |
2,277 |
14.5 |
| --- |
Motor vehicle accidents |
814 |
5.2 |
| --- |
All other accidents and adverse effects |
1,463 |
9.3 |
| 2 |
Birth defects |
692 |
4.4 |
| 3 |
Cancer |
487 |
3.1 |
| 4 |
Homicide and legal intervention |
414 |
2.6 |
| 5 |
Diseases of the heart |
256 |
1.6 |
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