POSTED BY:
Jennifer McCue, BSEd, RRT, CPST

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents in teenagers and young drivers. According to NHTSA, each day in the United States, approximately nine people are killed and more than 1,000 injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver. In 2017, 3,166 people were killed in a crash involving a distracted driver. These statistics are frightening. Parents should talk to the young drivers in their family about distracted driving and methods to avoid tragedy. Taking Your Mind Off the Road Most of us are guilty of distracted driving at one time or another. It happens maybe more than we’d like to admit — we drive while letting another activity take our attention away from focusing on the road. When your brain is thinking about anything other than what is happening on the road, it makes it difficult to react during a potential crash. This […]

As a parent, you want the very best for your children. One of the most important things you can do is make sure your kids are as safe and secure as possible while riding in your car. Keep Your Kids Buckled Up Every Time Parents and caregivers can keep children safer every time they ride in the car by doing the following: Know the proper way to use car seats, booster seats and seat belts. Use appropriate seats and seat belts with your children on every trip in the car, no matter how short. Set a good example by always using a seat belt yourself. A Car Seat Safety Guide There are many car seat and booster options available to parents and caregivers to use in protecting children while driving. Use this guide to help determine the best way to keep children safe in the car. Rear Facing Car Seat […]

As summer winds down, there’s still plenty of warm days left to enjoy a cool splash in the water. Whether you have a pool in your backyard, belong to a local swim club, or go to the shore on weekends for a swim in the ocean, water safety is vital to keeping your family safe and happy. Water Safety at Home Having a pool isn’t just fun and games – it’s also a big responsibility. Some safety precautions in your backyard, in the pool, and other places around the house can help prevent water accidents. Install safety features. Put a fence around all four side of a family pool. The fence should be at least four feet tall and have self-closing and self-latching gates. Install and maintain drain covers in a pool or spa to prevent entrapment. Consider installing an alarm to the doors or windows that lead from your house […]

As summer temperatures continue to climb, be careful to keep your kids out of hot cars. If a child does get left in a hot car or is accidentally locked in while playing, the consequences can be severe, and even deadly. Never leave your child in a car alone or leave your car unlocked around children, no matter what the temperature outside might be. Cracking the windows will not keep the car cool and even “just a few minutes” is too long. Although it may seem unimaginable for a child to be forgotten in a car, it occurs far too often. So know the facts and try out a few prevention tips to keep this kind of tragedy from affecting your family. The Facts It happens: On average, a child dies every 10 days from heatstroke after being left in a vehicle, according to Safe Kids Worldwide. Year after year, children are left in […]

Summer is full of opportunity and adventure for kids who like the outdoors. All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are exciting and many kids can’t wait to get off-road and try them out. Although these vehicles may seem like a fun summer activity, they can lead to some serious – even fatal – injuries, especially if you don’t follow ATV safety rules and regulations. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children under 16 not ride ATVs at all. They say this age group lacks the necessary physical strength, coordination, and judgment to drive an ATV safely in all situations and conditions. Still, despite the risks, many kids are legally able to ride ATVs. Each state has different guidelines and laws about age requirements, many of which allow children under 16 to ride ATVs. But before you let your kiddos hop onto an ATV, know the risks and follow these […]

The world is a jungle gym to little ones. Anything — and everything — can be a mountain to hike, a vine to swing on, or a river to dive into … at least through their eager eyes. But these fun adventures can quickly turn dangerous, even in your own home. Falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries for children in the United States, according to Safe Kids Worldwide. Although you may joke about keeping your kids in a plastic bubble to keep them from harm, there are more practical ways to make sure they’re safe, inside and outside your home. May is National Trauma Awareness Month, and Safe Kids Worldwide offers these fall prevention tips to keep your kids safe. 1. Inside the Home Use approved safety gates at the tops and bottoms of all staircases. Not all safety gates are intended for use at the tops of stairs, so […]