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The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.
Injury Prevention & Safety
Contact Us
- 941-624-7200
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Mailing Location
1100 Loveland Boulevard
Port Charlotte, FL 33980
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Florida's Need for Injury Prevention
Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death among Florida residents ages 1-44 and the fourth leading cause of death overall after heart disease, cancer, and stroke. Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death overall among Florida residents (Florida Vital Statistics Annual Report 2019). In 2019, injuries claimed 18,159 lives and accounted for 8.8 percent of all resident deaths.
In 2019 (most current national injury data), Florida’s age-adjusted injury rate for all injuries was 8.90 percent higher than the national average. Florida's rates were 12.57 percent higher than the national average for unintentional injuries, 5.66 percent higher for violence-related injuries. Compared with the nation's six most populous states, Florida's injury death rates were highest in the following categories: motor vehicle injuries, suicides, drowning, pedestrian, and pedal cyclist.
Injuries and violence can have an economic impact in the United States. “Nearly $130 billion of the fatal injury costs were attributable to unintentional injuries, followed by suicide ($50.8 billion) and homicide ($26.4 billion).” (https://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/overview/cost_of_injury.html)
Florida's Violence and Injury Prevention Section (VIPS)
The VIPS addresses statewide injury prevention priorities by providing technical assistance, information and resources to community partners.
Early Childhood Drowning Prevention—Florida leads the country in drowning deaths of children ages 1-4 years. The “WaterSmartFL: Water Safety Is Everyone’s Responsibility” initiative educates parents, caregivers, and communities about drowning risks and prevention strategies. The campaign identifies three layers to increase pool safety and reduce childhood drowning: supervision, barriers and emergency preparedness. An on-line toolkit is available at www.watersmartfl.com.
Older Adult Falls Prevention—Unintentional falls are the leading cause of injury death among Florida residents ages 65 years and older and the fourth leading cause of injury death overall. In addition, falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injury-related hospital admissions in Florida.
Safe Kids Florida—Local coalitions provide leadership in their communities in an effort to reduce the number of childhood injuries, a leading killer of children ages 19 and under.
Distracted Driving Prevention—Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person's attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety. The best way to end distracted driving is to educate all Americans about the danger it poses. Partners in this effort include SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), Safe Kids coalitions, emergency medical services and local, county and state law enforcement agencies.
Family Fire Safety Plan
One way to make your home safer is to have a Family Fire Safety Plan. Make fire safety a family event by including your kids in the planning and practice. Have your kids help you test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home. Older kids can help make a fire escape plan the whole family can practice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c6pD1QhdSA
Make Safe Happen App
Every year, unintentional injuries at home send millions of kids to the ER. Did you know there’s an app to help you make your home safer? Follow room-to-room safety checklists, create to-do lists, set reminders, and track your progress.
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