Injuries

Injuries are the major cause of death in infants 6 to 12 months of age. Aspiration of foreign objects, suffo­cation, falls, poisonings, drowning, burns, and other bod­ily damage may occur because of the infant's increasing ability to investigate the environment. Childproofing the environment can be an important precaution to prevent injuries. No home or environment can be completely childproofed, but close supervision of the child by a com­petent care provider is essential to prevent injury.

Motor vehicle accidents are responsible for a signifi­cant number of infant deaths. After 1 year of age, motor ve­hicle accidents become the number one cause of accidental death. Most states require that infants be placed in an ap­proved infant safety restraint while riding in a vehicle. The middle of the back seat is considered the safest place for the infant to ride. Many hospitals do not discharge an infant unless there is a safety restraint system in the car. If a fam­ily cannot afford a restraint system, programs are available that donate or loan the family a restraint. Health care pro­viders must be involved in educating the public about the dangers of carrying infants in vehicles without taking proper precautions to protect them.