ABSTRACT
Accidents remain the single major cause of death in children, aged 1 to 15 years, in England and Wales, causing more deaths than the two next commonest causes combined. On average two children die every day in accidents and each year an estimated 10 000 children are left with a permanent disability. Accidents contribute substantially to childhood morbidity, leading to one in five Accident and Emergency attendances and 20% of paediatric admissions.
