Collecting data
Injury data is important for developing local initiatives. It can be used for assessing need, planning activities, raising awareness and programme evaluation. Although routine information on injuries is often fragmented and incomplete, a lack of comprehensive information should not give reason for delaying initiatives.
Paediatricians may be able to provide good quality, local information about non-fatal injuries and their severity. Audits of the type of injury seen within emergency departments can help to identify local needs and stimulate action.
At national level, data has proved valuable in supporting effective safety campaigns, such as those for the introduction of child resistant containers for medications and for child restraints in vehicles.