Children between the ages of 2 and 6 are generally very susceptible to accidents because they are extremely active and unaware of potential danger. If you cannot remember accidents from your own childhood, ask a relative if they recall any. Alternatively, ask a relative with children in this age group to tell you about their children's accidents.

In notes for yourself, put down some of the details about accidents that you (or a sibling, or a young relative) sustained during early childhood. List the type of injury or injuries, and the age at which the accident occurred. Common injuries at this age include cuts (which may or may not have required stitches), broken bones, sprains, burns, etc.

1 - Could the accident(s) have been prevented? If you think this is the case, describe some possible preventive measures. Are these primary, secondary, or tertiary prevention?

2 - Do you know of any laws passed recently to protect children from accidents? Can you suggest any laws that you think would be particularly helpful?

3 - There has long been a belief that some people are "accident prone" (here is an actual mass-market magazine article from 1958 referring to "accidentitis" in some children where it is implied that a child's personality plays a role). Do you think there is validity to this idea? What kinds of factors might place a child at higher risk of accidental injury? Are these individual (child) characteristics? What about social and/or environmental characteristics? Which do you think are more influential in predicting injury?