You are in Parenting and Pregnancy . These things include cancer and accidental injuries, murder and suicide. A friend whose daughter was recently diagnosed with leukemia told me that even though my daughter may not have cancer, I should know she's at an even higher risk of being murdered or committing suicide. These things include cancer and accidental injuries, murder and suicide. This is why it is so important for your youngster to wear a seat belt or use a car seat in the car, why your pediatrician nags you about your hot water temperature and smoke detectors, and why there are campaigns to get kids to wear helmets when they ride bikes.
Homicide is the second leading cause of death in childhood in the United States.
And it's much more likely that a child will be killed by someone he knows than by a stranger. Guns are a leading mechanism for these homicides to occur. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in kids between ages 10 and 19. Although the adult suicide rate in the U.S. has remained relatively stable since the 1950s, the rate for teenagers has increased dramatically. Just as parents know not to ignore signs of cancer, parents should not ignore these ominous signs.