Injury Prevention | Vermont Department of Health CLOSE Translations for you Injury Prevention In this section: Prevent Falls Suicide Prevention Firearm Safety Opioid Overdose Prevention Water Safety in Vermont Research and experience show that most injuries are entirely preventable. Injuries are not simply "accidents" – random acts of fate or the result of carelessness – but events to be understood and prevented. Injury, not disease, is the leading killer of our children, teens and young adults. Both intentional and unintentional injuries rank among the top 10 causes of death for every age group. In Vermont, injuries are the leading cause of death among persons aged 15 to 44 and the fifth leading cause of death among people of all ages. Each year, more than 400 Vermonters die, and thousands of others are hospitalized due to injury. Whether they are unintentional or the result of intentional or violent acts, most injuries can be prevented with public health interventions. Knowing how to prevent suicide, properly store and dispose of medications, or prevent falls in older adults are actions that can help prevent many injuries and injury-related deaths. Injury Data and Reports Find  injury data and reports here Hotlines, Support, and Resources Hotlines and Support Emergencies or immediate danger — Dial or Text 9-1-1 Northern New England Poison Center — Call 800-222-1222 Vermont Network Against Domestic & Sexual Violence Domestic Violence Hotline — Call 800-228-7395 Sexual Violence & Rape Hotline — Call 800-489-7273 Child Abuse : If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, call the State of Vermont's toll-free 24-hour Child Protection Line at 800-649-5285. To get more information on reporting child abuse and neglect, visit the Department for Children and Families. Childhood Lead Poisoning — Call 800-439-8550 Adult Protective Services , Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living — Call 800-564-1612 Be Seat Smart Child Passenger Safety Program — Call 888-868-7328 (1-888-VMT-SEAT) Additional Resources Division of Fire Safety Governor’s Highway Safety Program National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) National Safety Council Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Project WorkSAFE Safe Kids Worldwide Youth Safety Council of Vermont Important Links FacingSuicideVT Get Help Now Be Seat Smart Falls Free Vermont Coalition Vermont Injury Data Public Health Data Explorer Safe Needle Disposal in Vermont Narcan / Naloxone Overdose Rescue Winter Weather Safe Sleep Prevent Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevent Teen Suicide Prevent Lead Poisoning State Health Assessment 2018 Contact Questions or comments about the Health Department's Injury Prevention Programs? Please email the Injury and Violence Prevention Program at [email protected] Firearm Safety Gun violence affects the lives of many Vermonters each year. Firearm-related injuries and deaths are... Suicide Prevention Suicide touches the lives of many Vermonters. Our intentional self-harm and death by suicide rates... Water Safety in Vermont Vermont's lakes, rivers and swimming holes are an important part of our recreational landscape. Whether... Opioid Overdose Prevention In an overdose, opioids can slow breathing to the point of death. To save lives... Prevent Falls Many Vermonters are affected by falls at some point in their life. People who are... Subscribe to Injury Prevention January 7, 2026