Test Your Safety Knowledge
As a parent, knowing safety rules is key when it comes to protecting the well-being of your child. Test your knowledge about child safety by taking the following quiz.
Car Safety Rules
1. Infants and toddlers should ride in rear-facing car seats in the back of the vehicle until they are at least 2 years old or until they outgrow the maximum height or weight requirements of their seats. True or False?
2. Once your child has outgrown a booster seat, he or she is allowed to sit in the front seat as long as a seat belt is worn. True or False?
3. As long as the child safety seat is in good condition and has all the parts, including instructions, it is safe to use. True or False?
4. Children should ride in a booster seat until they are at least 8 years old or 4 feet, 9 inches tall, at which point they can sit in the back seat while wearing a seat belt. True or False?
(answers below)
Play It Safe at the Playground
1. It is recommended that your child wear his or her helmet on the playground or when climbing a tree to reduce the risk of head trauma. True or False?
2. As long as you are actively supervising, it’s okay for your child to have free reign of the playground. True or False?
3. Grass, soil and packed earth are unsafe playground surfaces for children. True or False?
4. Drawstrings, purses and necklaces should not be worn or carried by children on the playground. True or False?
Helmet Safety 101
1. Your child is safe as long as a helmet is worn. True or False?
2. Helmet straps should be fastened at all times, but loose enough to move from side to side. True or False?
3. If your child is riding bikes with a parent or adult, then it is okay not to wear a helmet. True or False?
4. Head injury is the most common cause of death, disability and serious injury among children involved in bicycle accidents. True or False?
Compare your answers to the safety quiz results below:
Car Safety Rules
1. True—It is safest for children to use rear-facing car seats as long as possible, even up to age 2.
2. False—Children who outgrow their booster seats must sit in the back seat, properly belted in, until they are at least 13 years old.
3. False—Not only do safety seats need to be in good condition and have all their parts, they also must correctly fit your child and your vehicle and be used correctly every time. Most safety seats expire six years after the date of manufacture.
4. True—Children moved out of a booster seat sooner do not fit properly in a car’s seat belt system, which may lead to internal injury in a crash.
Play It Safe at the Playground Answers
1. False—Do not let your child wear his or her helmet when playing on the playground or climbing a tree. Helmet straps can catch on a limb or pole and cause your child to be strangled.
2. False—Playground equipment is typically designed for three different age groups: children under age 2, children ages 2 to 5 and children ages 5 to 12. Ensure your child is playing on age-appropriate equipment at all times.
3. True—These surfaces weather and wear. Safer surfaces include mats that cushion a child’s fall or loose-fill materials.
4. True—These items may cause choking if caught on playground equipment, just like a helmet strap.
Helmet Safety 101 Answers
1. False—The type of helmet your child needs depends on the sport or leisure activity in which he or she is participating. A football helmet is not an appropriate substitute for a bicycle helmet. While both are intended to protect your child’s head from impact, they are specifically designed for completely different purposes and injuries. In addition, St. Louis Children’s Hospital advises that parents ensure the helmet is fitted properly and never to place helmets on children younger than age 1.
2. False—While helmet straps should remain fastened at all times, they should not fit loosely. You should not be able to twist or pull the helmet around on your child’s head. Straps should fit snugly enough that you are only able to fit one finger between the strap and your child’s chin.
3. False—Being with an adult does not decrease the risk of traumatic head injuries from bicycle accidents. Set a good example by wearing a helmet every time you ride and requiring all members of the family to wear one. If your child is visiting a friend’s house, make certain the parents or guardians are aware that your child must wear a helmet at all times when riding his or her bicycle—no exceptions.
4. True—Take time to check playground equipment to ensure it is functioning properly before allowing your child to play. Check all surfaces, including metal surfaces such as slides, to prevent burns or scrapes from hot or unsafe equipment.
