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Car seats are designed to save young lives. Unfortunately, most parents think they are installing the seats correctly, when inspections show seven in 10 are installed wrong! The consequences can be deadly given that motor vehicle accidents are the number one killer of kids in this country. And in fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than half of those deaths and serious injuries could be prevented by placing children in age- and…

Boating and Personal Watercraft Basics Boating mishaps throughout the country have dropped steadily in the past decade, from 8,026 accidents and 4,442 injuries in 1996 to 4,789 accidents and 3,331 injuries in 2008, according to Recreational Boating Statistics 2008 from the U.S. Coast Guard [download report]. Unfortunately, the number of deaths has remained steady, between 700 and 800 per year. With July traditionally the worst month for boating accidents, here is a summary of rules, regulations and…

Follow a two-part strategy to prevent gasoline can fires or explosions. First, seriously consider buying a gas can with a flame arrester. Often called “safety cans,” these containers are normally made of metal rather than plastic. Many feature a spring-loaded cap that closes automatically. Major manufacturers of safety cans include Eagle and Justrite, and prices range from $35 to $75 depending on the size of the can. No-Spill also makes a plastic gas can with…

By the numbers 528 Deaths: Severe weather tallied 528 fatalities and more than $38 billion in combined property and crop damage in 2012. The 10-year average is 640 deaths per year. Source: Summary of Natural Hazard Statistics (download), National Weather Service 14 Minutes: The average lead time from warning siren tornado is now 14 minutes. An 8-foot by 8-foot safe room averages $6,600 to $8,700 in new construction. Source: Tornado Preparedness Saves Lives, USA Today…

Even with advanced weather science to better predict storm conditions, Mother Nature still holds all the cards. The massive tornado that obliterated Moore, Okla., on May 20 struck just 16 minutes after the first siren was sounded. And while violent storms grab all the headlines, more common severe weather like heat waves, heavy rain and lightning cause considerable casualties. While there are no guarantees, you should know how to prepare for the worst and increase…

Summer is in full swing and kids are everywhere, wringing out every glorious minute of summer vacation before it’s back to school. And you know what that means: a whole new round of bumps and bruises! Injuries Spike During Summer Summertime fun shouldn’t be derailed by a trip to the hospital. But unfortunately, more than 3 million kids in America under 14 will be rushed to the emergency room with serious injuries this summer, and…

By the Numbers 8 Million Riders: Motorcycle ridership is at an all-time high in the United States with more than 8 million registered motorcycles on the roads in 2010. Source: State Motor-Vehicle Registrations, U.S. Department of Transportation 1,829 Lives Saved: Motorcycle helmets saved 1,829 lives in 2008. An estimated 823 lives could have been saved if all motorcyclists had been wearing helmets. Source: Motorcycle Facts (download), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 25 Times Cars: Per…

By the numbers 7,630 Fatalities – An estimated 7,630 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes during the first three months of 2012, a 13.2 percent increase over the first quarter of 2011. This reverses a historic downward trend in fatalities during the past several years. Source: Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities, First Quarter 2012 (download), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration   1.7 Million – More than 1.7 million people participate annually –…

Map Shows State-by-State Licensing Information The National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education features an interactive map that shows state licensing and regulation information for child care. Is Your Day Care Provider Accredited? Find Out Accredited providers have met child care standards higher than most state licensing requirements. Look up providers through the National Association for the Education of Young Children or the National Association for Family Child Care,…

By the numbers 675 Deaths: In 2011, 675 bicyclists were killed in crashes, a 10 percent increase from 2010. Overall, bike injuries and deaths are down for all age groups since 1975 except for men older than age 20. Source: Fatality Facts, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 90% No Helmet: Over the past decade, roughly 90 percent of bikers killed in road accidents were not wearing helmets. Despite this fact, only 20 to 25 percent of…