Survey: Parents Need the Facts About Injury Risks to Children

Among the survey's findings: One in three parents are* Use a booster seat for children up to 8 years or 80
unaware that children can drown in as little as 2 inchespounds. Adult seat belts usually do not fit such children
of water. Less than half of parents know falls are theproperly unless they are in booster seats. When the
leading cause of unintentional injuries to toddlers. Andbelt sits too high in the abdominal and neck areas, it
more than half underestimate how long children shouldcan cause serious injuries in an auto crash. Your child
be in a booster seat.is approximately half as likely to be injured when using
"Particularly in the area of car safety seat usage,a booster seat instead of a seat belt alone.
parental knowledge tends to decrease as children* Always have your children wear a helmet. Bike
age," said Dr. Michael Gittelman, an emergency roominjuries send hundreds of thousands of kids ages 5 to
pediatrician and medical adviser to "Get on Board with14 to the emergency room each year.
Child Safety," a national child injury prevention initiative.* Supervise the trampoline. Approximately 90,000 kids
"Parents need targeted information about the differentvisit the emergency room each year after a
unintentional injury risks to children as they grow, fromtrampoline injury. Trampolines are even more
infant stage to toddlers to kids and all the way throughdangerous when multiple kids are jumping at once or
adolescence."when a child does somersaults.
Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for* Never leave children unattended in or near the water.
U.S. children ages 14 and under. "Get on Board withInstall gates around pools and use doorknob covers to
Child Safety" was spearheaded by the children's brandprevent toddlers from getting out of the house and into
"Safety 1st" and the National Association of Children'swater without supervision. Always drain small pools
Hospitals and Related Institutions. They offer thewhen not in supervised use.
following tips for parents: