Children that were victims of car crashes and accidents between the periods of 2002 and 2006 had avoided getting injured because they were wearing their seat belts. The research had look into accidents involving chilren, where it was shown that at least 47.5% had been restrained from their car, thus avoiding further injury and death.

The study also revealed that minority families rely on seat belt use less. These are actually Native Americans, Blacks and the Hispanics.

Overall, children’s injury rate was minimal and falling at 6 or 7 percent, while 13 percent of these injuries were sent to emergency surgery procedure.

The study was done by the American Academy of Pediatrics and was presented in its recent national meeting held in Boston. The study was a preliminary research work from which proper data and conclusion are stil ongoing.

According to the study’s lead, Dr. Rebecca Stark —

“After adjusting for the use of restraints, we found no differences in mortality among different ethnic groups. The major determinant of both morbidity and mortality is the severity of the injury as quantified by the initial injury severity score. Because the use of restraints decreases the ISS, we feel our results highlight the need for further education and outreach to the pediatric population about the benefit of seat-belt use.”

Not minding about motor safety is one of the leading causes of death among children in the United States. Parents or adults looking after children could benefit well from heeding to advices on children’s safety, especially with so many distractions on the road these days.

There has been some research done about kids and accidents, including what gender and age groups have them the most, and what kinds of accidents they have.  Here, in no particular order, are 10 interesting pieces of information about kids and accidents.  These facts only apply to accidents that happen to kids.

1. 74.5% of all accidents that befall kids happen to kids under the age of 5.
2. Boys are more accident prone than girls (they’ve obviously never met my kids!).
3. The most accidents for both sexes happen to 2 and 3 year olds.
4. Cuts are the most common type of accident, followed by falls and poisoning.
5. Other common accidents include burns, object in the nostril, bloody noses, head injuries, choking, bruises, stings, broken bones, and strained muscles.
6. 1 in 3 children using a walker suffers an injury because of it.  Most of them fall down steps in their walkers.
7. Lacerations are the most common playground injury.
8. 25% of gunshot wounds that are not fatal result in permanent brain damage.
9. Swings and slides cause the most playground injuries.
10. The #1 cause of death in all children up to age 14 is car crashes.  70% of kids aren’t properly restrained in cars.

So, heads up, parents.  We can’t wrap them in bubble wrap (they get all sweaty), but we can minimize the risks as much as possible.