All states passed legislation between 1977 and 1984 requiring children to be in a child safety seat when in a car. In some areas, homeowners were required to fence in swimming pools to avoid drowning deaths. Building laws required smoke detectors. Some improvements may have followed fear of litigation, as tort lawyers swung into action alleging that defective products led to injury. Others are a consequence of medical advances, as the availability and quality of trauma care for children in hospital emergency rooms improved.
Many improvements are a consequence of a change in family behavior.
Older children are less likely to walk to school than was the case 20 years ago, perhaps helping reduce pedestrian accidents. Manufacturers developed a host of child-proofing products as different causes of injury became better known. What ties these changes together is the increased availability of information on how to protect children, enabling parents to look after their children's safety more effectively. All parents can now read mandatory safety labels on products and must take other steps required by regulations. In addition, parents, especially those who are well-educated, have more information today to help them best use their time and money to protect their children.