EMS Facts

• One in three americans visit an emergency department each year.
• Heart disease is the leading cause of death overall, but trauma is the leading cause of death in people between the ages of 1 and 40.
• Stroke is the third leading cause of death, second only to heart disease and cancer.
• An estimated 374 lives were saved by airbags in 1994.
• Child safety seats reduce fatal injury by 69% for infants less than one year old and 47% for children 1-4 years old.
• In 1993, more than one-third of all injuries resulting in emergency department visits occurred at home.
• 80% of the population is covered by the 9-1-1 emergency number.
• 14% of deaths caused by unintentional home injuries are due to solid and liquid poisoning.
• Nearly 60% of accidents to pedestrians under age five happen in their own driveway when a vehicle backs over them.
• Smokers in their 30s and 40s have five times as many heart attacks as non-smokers.
• Only 15 states have statewide bicycle helmet laws and they only apply to young riders.