could have been prevented. Unfortunately, most parents don’t realize that an effective way to pre- vent accidental injury is to role model safe behavior for their kids. New research showsthat children are more likely to buckle up, wear a bike helmet, cross the street cor- rectly and weara life jacket when their parents follow the same safety rules. That means to raise safe children, parents themselves must proactively role model safe behav- ior—something theyre not consis- tently doing. New research unveiled by the National SAFE KIDS Campaign and Johnson & Johnson found that while 98 percent of parents agree it is important that they are role models for safe behavior for their children, the percentage of parents who report actually prac- ticing safe behaviors is often te 2 a Parents should model safe behavior for their kids to prevent accidental injury. cent of children say they always wear a life jacket, which may be due to this do-as-I-say-not-as-Ido parenting. The research was released recently at a National SAFE KIDS Campaign press conference featuring U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona and pediatric trauma surgeon Dr. Martin EKichelberger to launch National SAFE Kips Week (April 30 to May 7, 2005), a nationwide public education campaign. This year’s lower. In addition, children with parents whose actions reinforce theme is “Follow The Leader: practice safe behaviors. Parents cannot expect their Children also notice when their parents are not following their For example, while 78 percent of parents say it is extremely or very remind their parents to wear a bicycle helmet and 24 percent of why only 40 percent of children say they wear a helmet. In addition, while 86 percent motheror father. For more information or for a copy of SAFE KIDS/Johnson & their words appear morelikely to children to adopt safe behaviors if they do not follow their own rules. important that their child always wears a bike helmet, only 25 percent of parents do. This may be Safety Starts With You.” own rules. Seventeen percent of children say they have had to children say they are morelikely to cross a busy street in the mid- dle of a block if they are with their Johnson Follow the Leader: A of parents say it is extremely or very important that their child National Study of Safety Role boating, only 39 percent of par- Children, contact the National always wears a life jacket when ents say they always do so them- selves. The result? Only 57 per- Modeling Among Parents and SAFE Kips Campaign at (202) 6620600 or visit www.safekids.org.
