There are two broad classification of injuries:

1. Unintentional: Injuries resulting from events such as falls, motor vehicle crashes and drowning

2. Intentional: Injuries resulting from violent events, such as suicide, homicides, and assaults such as sexual assault, domestic violence, child and elder abuse.

Five Leading Causes of Injury In Wisconsin:

1. Motor Vehicle Crashes

2. Falls

3. Suicide by Firearms

4. Unintentional Poisoning

5. Homicide by Firearms

Injury is like a disease and can be prevented. It is up to all of us to take action.

What can you do to prevent injury?

At home: Is you home a safe place to live in? Is your kitchen safe? Do you turn the handles of cooking utensils on the stove inward? Are electrical appliances away from the sink and children? Do you have a working smoke alarm? Do you check to see that the smoke detector is working? Do you practice fire drills at home? Do you have a carbon monoxide detector? I the play room safe for your children? Are toys age appropriate? Are all household chemicals and medications kept locked and out of reach of your children? If you have firearms in your home, are they locked and stored in a safe place?

In your vehicle: Do you wear your seat belt at all times? Are you using child restraints for your children? Are they applied properly? Do you drink and drive? Do you check to see that your medication will not affect your driving?