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Accidents

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Accidental injuries are a leading cause of death for Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders. More research is needed, but surveys suggest that this population — particularly teens — engage in high risk behaviors that put them at risk of injury or death. Death can result from many types of accidents, such as:

• Motor vehicle 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 risk of injury, and even death:

• Don't drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol or while sleepy. 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 hazards. Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working. Remove tripping hazards that can cause falls, such as cords or loose rugs.
• Use the handrail on 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

Explore other publications and websites

• Accidents or Unintentional Injuries — This fact sheet features statistics on the number of motor vehicle related deaths, deaths from unintentional poisonings, and unintentional fall deaths.
  http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/acc-inj.htm
• Age Page: Falls and Fractures — This publication gives tips on how you can prevent falls and fractures both in your home and outside.
  http://www.niapublications.org/agepages/falls.asp
• Impaired Driving — This resource provides statistics on the number of impaired driving incidents. It also talks about risk factors for impaired driving and how to prevent it.
  http://www.cdc.gov/MotorVehicleSafety/Impaired_Driving/impaired-drv_factsheet.html
• 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, Violence & Safety — This internet site features a wide range of topics on injury, violence, and safety. It provides statistics, interactive tools, and other resources.
  http://www.cdc.gov/InjuryViolenceSafety/
• Lock Up Poisons — This online publication discusses the importance of securing all liquids and solids that may be potentially harmful to children.
  http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/382.pdf
• Poisoning in the United States: Fact Sheet — This publication provides statistics related to poisonings. It describes the occurrence of poisonings, the consequences, the cost, the groups at risk, risk factors, and also provides references for further information.
  http://www.cdc.gov/NCIPC/factsheets/poisoning.htm
• Preventing Falls and Related Fractures — This publication explains how osteoporosis can progress without symptoms and how falls are especially dangerous for those with low bone density.
  http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Osteoporosis/Fracture/prevent_falls.asp

Connect with other organizations

• American Association of Poison Control Centers
  http://www.aapcc.org/DNN/
• Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum
  http://www.apiahf.org/index.php
• Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations
  http://www.aapcho.org/site/aapcho/
• Home Safety Council
  http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/index.aspx
• National Institute on Aging, NIH, HHS
  http://www.nia.nih.gov/
• Office of Minority Health, HHS
  http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/

Content last updated May 18, 2010.

Resources last updated May 18, 2010.

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