Among children ages 1 to 4 years, most drownings occur in residential swimming pools. Most young children who drowned in pools were last seen in the home, had been out of sight less than five minutes, and were in the care of one or both parents at the time.

 In 2001, 859 children ages 0 to 14 years died from drowning (CDC 2003). Drowning remains the second-leading cause of injury-related death for children ages 1 to 14 years (CDC 2003).


In 2001, 864 children ages 14 and under died from unintentional airway obstruction injuries. Of these children, 87 percent were ages 4 and under. 

In 2001, 169 children ages 14 and under died from choking (30 percent food and 70 percent nonfood) and more than 17,500 children were treated in hospital emergency departments for choking-related episodes. 

In 2002, eight children ages 2 to 11 died from choking on or aspiration of a toy; three of these deaths involved balloons. Choking and suffocation/asphyxia deaths account for 62 percent of all toy-related fatalities.
 
In 2002, more than 80 percent of children treated in hospital
emergency rooms for airway obstruction injuries were ages 4 and under.

The majority of childhood choking injuries are associated with food items. Children are at risk from choking on small, round foods such as hot dogs, candies, nuts, grapes, carrots and popcorn.