As a parent, you are constantly seeking and learning new ways to keep your child healthy. We ve outlined some vital information and helpful tips from the National SAFE KIDS Campaign that will keep you on the right track. Your children are your most precious cargo. Yet, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 14 and under. Using child safety seats and safety belts correctly can prevent injury and save lives.
Unrestrained children are more likely to suffer an injury or die than children who are restrained.
Children four and under accounted for 34 percent of these childhood motor vehicle occupant deaths. And in 1998, more than 274,000 children ages 14 and under were injured as occupants in motor vehicle-related crashes. Motor vehicle injuries can have long-lasting psychological effects. One study showed that 25 percent of children who suffered from traffic injuries and 15 percent of their parents were later diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder. Restrain children 12 and under in a back seat.