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Accidents (unintentional injuries)

• More information on accidents (unintentional injuries)

Accidents, also called unintentional injuries, are the number three cause of death in the United States. They account for 1 of every 4 people treated in an emergency department.

Death can result from many types of accidents, such as:

• Car accidents
• Drug overdose
• Falls
• Fires

In many cases, accidental injury can be prevented. Here are just a few steps you can take to lower your risks:

• Don’t drive when you feel sleepy. Don't drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Also, don't accept a ride with an impaired driver.
• Wear your seat belt.
• Drive the speed limit, and obey traffic laws.
• Look for safety issues around your home, and fix or remove problems. Remove tripping hazards that can cause falls, such as cords or loose rugs.
• Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home are working.
• Use the handrail when walking up or down stairs.
• Use safety gear during sports activities, such as a helmet when biking.
• Follow workplace safety guidelines and OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) standards.
• Learn to swim.
• Use care with ladders, power equipment, and chemicals when working around the home.

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More information on accidents (unintentional injuries)

Explore other publications and websites

• Injury Prevention and Control — This website links to fact sheets, publications, prevention information, and statistics about unintentional injury. Topics include motor vehicle-related injuries and fire safety.
  http://www.cdc.gov/injury/index.html
• Injury-Related Websites — This website provides information, resources, and organizations for those who have experienced a major injury. It also gives statistics on injury-related issues, tips on safety at home and on the road, and information about violence prevention.
  http://www.cdc.gov/injury/
• Motor Vehicle Safety — This fact sheet provides a statistical look at the problem of drunk driving and drug-impaired driving. It highlights specific groups more likely to drive impaired and suggests ways to prevent death and injury.
  http://www.cdc.gov/Motorvehiclesafety/index.html
• SOPHE Unintentional Injury and Violence Prevention (Copyright © Society for Public Health Education) — This website is designed to strengthen the connection between behavioral science and health education with more comprehensive approaches to unintentional injury and violence prevention.
  http://www.sophe.org/ui/index.html

Connect with other organizations

• National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC
  http://www.cdc.gov/injury/
• National Fire Protection Association
  http://www.nfpa.org/index.asp?cookie%5Ftest=1
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT
  http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/
• Prevention Institute
  http://www.preventioninstitute.org/home.html
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
  http://www.cpsc.gov/

Content last updated January 10, 2011.

Resources last updated January 10, 2011.

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