Physical safety education can lower childhood accident and injury rates. A number of interventions, including traffic education, introducing play-ground equipment standards, and legislation for the use of bicycle helmets and seat belts, have reduced child injuries (Ministry of Health, Child Health Programme Review). Children need knowledge and understanding in order to identify environmental hazards. They also need the skills and opportunities to practise risk management in a variety of settings including home, school, road, bush, and beach environments.
