Accidents are the leading cause of death for people of every age.
We take risks in everything we do-from walking down the street to not wearing seatbelts in cars, says Ann Burton, executive director of Sunnyview's injuries prevention program. Often, the problem is a simple lack of safety awareness. As we age, disease and emotional health add more complicating factors, and we need to learn to watch for warning signs in these areas too. Infants can get strangled in window blinds and clothing strings, and can be suffocated by pillows and other materials. Food or objects that become lodged in the throat are also choking hazards.