Other unintentional injury deaths include poisonings, falls, electrocutions, agricultural machine injuries, cutting instruments, animal attacks, undetermined and other deaths.

Poisonings

Unintentional injuries in children are often related to lack of adequate supervision.  Poisoning deaths are usually caused by inattention of a parent or other caregiver.  More than 90% of all poisonings occur in the home.  Medication overdose, children ingesting household poisons and carbon monoxide poisoning are the leading causes of poisoning deaths for younger children.  Adolescents are at high risk for alcohol poisoning.  In a study published by the Journal of American College Health, over 40% of students surveyed engage in binge drinking, which is defined as five or more drinks on one occasion.

Poisoning deaths can occur due to access by young children to toxic substances and the inattention of parents or other caregivers.  Carbon monoxide (CO) poisonings usually occur overnight, involving generators or other types of CO producing appliances.  Teens unintentionally poison themselves by overdosing on prescription medications or illegal drugs in an attempt to get high.  More than 90% of poisonings in the U.S. occur in the home.

Fall or Crush

Deaths that are caused by falls are generally rare for children.  Falls are, however, a very common form of injury for children.  The death rate for falls has declined for children ages 14 and under by 33% from 1987 to 1997.  It is widely believed that the rate has dropped in part because of better understanding of the severe injuries related to abusive head trauma, which are often reported by perpetrators as due to accidental falls and are now more often correctly diagnosed as child abuse deaths.

Deaths due to crushing injuries typically occur when large, heavy objects fall onto a child.  Being struck by moving objects can also cause fatal injuries in children.

Electrocution

Electrocutions occur from two primary sources, within the home and outdoors.  Indoors, children are at risk for electrocution from exposed outlets, faulty appliances and incidents in the bathtub.  Downed power lines and lightning strikes most often cause outdoor electrocutions.