The leading causes of death for young persons

For persons under the age of 21, accidents are the leading cause of death. Motor vehicle accidents account for almost half of all accidents involving this age group. However, the home appears to be the most dangerous place for infants (0 to 1 years). From birth to age one, the most prominent cause of accidental death is choking on food or objects placed in the mouth. Motor vehicle accidents rank second, and suffocation (from smothering by bedclothes, plastic bags, etc.) is the third leading cause. Fourth are fires, burns, etc.; the fifth is drowning. For children aged 1 to 4 years, the ranking is (1) motor vehicle accidents; (2) drowning; (3) fires and burns; (4) choking; and (5) falls. For ages 5 through 14, the order is (1) motor vehicle accidents; (2) drowning; (3) firearms; (4) poisoning; and (5) fires, burns, etc. From ages 15 to 24, motor vehicle accidents ranked first, drownings and poisoning tied for second and third place, and falls and fires, burns, etc., tied for fourth and fifth positions. (The Handy Science Answer Book, compiled by the Science and Technology department of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh)