This report was written to identify the safety problems confronting older persons and to educate readers about product and home hazards and appropriate preventive measures. It was written for older consumers, their families, policymakers, and manufacturers. Information on the incidence of home accidents and consumer product accidents among the…

This paper examines the arbitrary distinctions between intentional and unintentional child injuries, noting that a careful review of the literature of both child abuse and unintentional child injury revealed similarities among the risk factors associated with the two outcomes. A single, multifactor model of injury etiology, the ecologic model, is…

Injuries are the leading causes of death for non-infant children and adolescents. Motor vehicles, drownings, fires, firearms, and poisons, in that order, are the major categories of fatal injury for the child population as a whole. Recognition that the agents of injury are the major forms of energy (mechanical, thermal, chemical) has led to an…

This document, written by the American Automobile Association, deals with safety in snowmobile use. It reports accident records, lists safe driving steps and Canadian safety regulations, outlines snowmobile use regulations, and discusses courses of instruction. It also contains lists of available films and reference publications. (PB)

Study of the continental United States showed that an index of "southernness" was associated with the homicide rate but not with the suicide rate. However, the rate of suicide by firearms and the rate of lethal accidents with firearms were both associated with this index of southernness. (Author/KS)

Recounts an incident in an Arizona high school where a student made a miraculous recovery from a near-death incident. Despite negative predictions from the treating physicians, the student leads a normal life again. (MD)

The chairman of the National Commission Against Drunk Driving editorializes against raising the drinking age and presents statistical evidence to back up his statement. (MD)

This study indicates that there is no evidence to support the common belief that many people in the past have gotten entangled in legal problems as a result of their Good Samaritan efforts. (MM)

Examined national data on firearm suicides and accidental deaths for 15- through 19-year-olds from 1955-1979. Considered improved accuracy in determination and certification of suicide in equivocal firearm deaths, actual increases in rate of firearm suicides, or combination. Data support hypothesis of certification changes as primary factor…

Reports that accident rates among adventure education staff are higher than among participants. Implicates staff attitudes as a key factor and explores the meaning of professionalism in this context. Discusses staff responsibility for safety and for organizational commitment to program quality. (SV)

Explored death-dip phenomenon, previously reported decrease in death occurring before significant dates, with cohort of 4,800 psychiatric patients. Compared dates of death with each individual's birthday, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Found no death-dip phenomenon, significant increase in accidental death preceding birthdays, suggested suicide…

Describes a bear attack in Algonquin Park in Lake Opeongo (Canada) in which a man and woman were killed. Hypothesizes that the bear deliberately preyed on its victims and concludes that the bear was physically normal. Despite this isolated attack, the chance of being attacked by a black bear when camping is virtually nonexistent. (KS)

Examined significance of survivor-victim relationship in understanding grief following sudden death bereavement by suicide or accident. Results showed that survivor-victim attachment was more important than survivor status (parent versus sibling/child) in explaining grief reactions. Compared to accident survivors, suicide survivors experienced…

Notes that approximately 250 to 1,000 deaths in United States annually are result of autoerotic asphyxiation, hangings that were intended to enhance sexual excitement. Reviews scattered literature on autoerotic asphyxiation and includes observations by two psychiatrists and medical examiner. Notes that much remains to be learned about this…