Kids Count 2002: South Carolina Indicators
South Carolina Child and Teen Death Fact Sheet
FACTS:
- The leading cause of death for children 1-14 is motor vehicle crashes.
- 112 children between 1-14 died from accidents, of which 55 died in traffic crashes; 20 from cancer; 18 from homicide; 15 from heart disease; 8 from suicide.
- The leading cause of death for teens 15-19 is motor vehicle crashes.
- 141 teens (15-19) died from accidents, of which 127 died in traffic crashes; 29 died from suicide; 23 died from homicide; 13 died from cancer; 9 died from heart disease.
- Speeding was the leading cause of fatal crashes for teen drivers and driving under the influence was the second leading cause.
- 304 children experienced an incapacitating injury due to traffic crashes; 580 teens experienced an incapacitating injury due to traffic crashes.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Although there is no way to completely prevent all child and teen deaths, the following are measures to reduce risk:
- Motor vehicle crashes: Ensure that every passenger is buckled up in a seat belt or an age and size appropriate child restraint device. When riding bicycles or any wheeled play vehicle, a helmet should be worn. Parents should work with teens to help them understand the legal and social consequences of speeding and DUI. Parents should carefully assess whether or not their child has the appropriate maturity level to safely operate a motor vehicle.
- Suicide: Parents, teachers, coaches, and other child care workers need to be educated about the "warning signs" associated with suicide.
- Guns: Promote gun safety programs such as responsible storing and securing of firearms in the home, proper use of shotguns and rifles while hunting with a responsible adult, and educating young people on the tragedies associated with inadequate gun safety measures.
- Abuse: Teachers, day care providers, pediatric workers and other people in the community need to be educated on the identification and detection of child abuse and neglect.
- Drowning: Children need to be taught to swim. Every community needs to have a water safety program available for children. Adult supervision of children is essential around any body of water.
- Fires: The use of smoke detectors and emergency escape plans with multiple exists should be stressed. The importance of maintaining functional smoke detectors and fire alarms is crucial.
- Suffocation: Parents/caregivers should be discouraged from sleeping with infants or allowing infants to sleep in adult beds.
NOTE: Progress toward improving KIDS COUNT indicators cannot be attributed to any one single strategy, but a combination of multiple interventions.
RESOURCES:
Women can get additional information and receive referrals to health care providers by calling the DHEC Careline at 1-800-868-0404.
DHEC's Office of Injury Prevention (803) 898-0755
State Child Fatality Advisory Committee (803) 898-0371
SC March of Dimes Chapter (803) 252-5200
SC Department of Transportation's Highway Safety Office (803) 737-1161