The growing popularity of gas fireplaces has led to an increase in burns to toddlers who put their hands on the glass enclosures. From 1996 through 2002, researchers found a 15-fold increase in patients under the age of 5 years who sustained hand burns from contact with the glass enclosure of gas fireplaces. Of the 39 children observed (mean age 12.8 months), most suffered superficial second-degree burns that were treated conservatively. However, 21 percent developed complications requiring intensive therapy, including surgery, to regain acceptable function.
Contact Palm Burns in Toddlers from Glass Enclosed Fireplaces. CM Dunst et al. Journal of Burn Care & Rehabilitation, January/February 2004; 25(1): 67-70.

In the US, more than 1.5 million traffic crashes a year involve deer, producing at least $1.1 billion in vehicle damage and about 150 fatalities. Deer-related crashes are on the rise, as numbers of deer and vehicles grow. Well-designed and maintained fencing, combined with underpasses or overpasses, has been shown to reduce deer collisions with vehicles. Herd reduction is controversial but can be effective. Deer whistles seem to be useless. Roadside reflectors apparently have little long-term effect, while temporary passive signs and active signs may have potential. These two methods along with those using advanced technology require more research.
Methods to reduce traffic crashes involving deer: what works and what does not. JH Hedlund et al. Traffic Injury Prevention, June 2004; 5(2): 122-131.

A review of snowmobile-related hospitalizations in Manitoba over a 10-year period revealed that out of 294 patients, 81 (27.6 percent) died. Of the injuries, 72 percent were due to collisions, and 31 percent occurred on roads. Excessive speed was a factor in 54 percent of patients, suboptimal lighting in 86 percent and a blood alcohol level greater than 0.08 in 70 percent. Researchers concluded that snowmobile trauma is largely preventable because the main causes are human errors. Prevention efforts must focus on the driver, especially alcohol impairment. Trail-side monitoring is not likely to be effective because most accidents do not occur on designated snowmobile trails.
Snowmobile trauma: 10 years' experience at Manitoba's tertiary trauma centre. RL Stewart and GB Black. Canadian Journal of Surgery, April 2004; 47(2): 90-94.

A Liverpool, UK hospital analyzed airgun injuries to the head and neck from June 1998 to June 2003. Out of 16 patients who suffered such injuries, aged from 5 to 15 years, most were violent assaults which occurred in public places outside the home. Six patients required an overnight stay in hospital, nine required operative procedures to remove the pellets and two had serious eye injuries resulting in loss of vision. Researchers found that airguns, which are readily available to people without a licence, are being used as weapons of assault, and concluded that stricter legislation is needed.
Should airguns be banned?  P Holland et al. British Journal of Neurosurgery, April 2004; 18(2): 124-129.                        

Canada's national crime rate went up six percent in 2003, driven by a 72 percent surge in counterfeiting. Property crimes, especially break-ins and motor vehicle thefts, rose four percent; however, the rate is still 26 percent lower than a decade earlier. The national homicide rate fell seven percent to its lowest level since 1967, with 548 reported homicides. The impaired driving rate fell five percent, continuing a downward trend over the past 20 years. Police reported about 77,000 incidents of impaired driving.
Canadian Crime Statistics, 2003. Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics. Juristat: Vol. 24, no. 6, July 28, 2004. 

Collisions with Wildlife

Snowmobile Safety

Pellet Guns