Dear Jeff,

I have a hard time convincing my niece and nephew to wear their seat belts. How important is it? And what can I do to help them understand it's for their safety?
 
These days, we feel like we have so little control over the risks we are exposed to. Wearing a seat belt is one thing we can do to protect ourselves, yet so many people, especially kids, are resistant to it.  How to help them understand that seat belts are for safety depends on their age, personality, and level of understanding. One idea that often works, since most kids would love to be able to drive: explain that wearing a seat belt is the first part of learning to drive.

One caution though: a seat belt can actually cause harm in an accident if it doesn't fit the child properly. Web sites like  http://www.carseat.org/  and  http://www.research.chop.edu/programs/carseat/ are great resources for more information.


Jeff Stier is the Associate Director of the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH).