Child deaths, injuries up 33% in 2025; traffic accidents leading cause

Taipei, Feb. 9 (CNA) Deaths and injuries among children under 14 in Taiwan rose 33 percent in 2025 compared with the previous year, with traffic safety incidents again accounting for the largest share, the Jing Chuan Child Safety Foundation said Monday.

The foundation said the figures were based on a statistical analysis of 265 child accident cases reported in the media during the year, excluding incidents involving child abuse, sexual assault and other personal safety categories.

According to the analysis, the incidents resulted in 47 child deaths and 354 injuries, with traffic safety remaining the most serious category at 164 deaths and injuries.

The Taipei-based foundation said patterns of risk in children's play environments have also changed, shifting in recent years from fixed playground equipment in public parks to inflatable play equipment commonly found at family activities and holiday markets.

The foundation said 18 children were killed or injured in play and toy-related accidents in 2025, including five cases involving inflatable play equipment.

Foundation Executive Director Hsu Ya-jen (許雅荏) cited National Police Agency traffic accident data showing that from 2022 through October 2025, about 347 children aged 0 to 14 were killed or injured in passenger cars because safety equipment was not used.

Hsu said proper use of a child safety seat can reduce neck impact by about 73 percent and lower the risk of death in an accident by about 71 percent.

Rear-facing seating can further improve safety by about 75 percent, she said.

Hsu said the foundation has repeatedly urged the government to address "management problems" involving temporary play facilities and to review relevant regulations and management mechanisms.

However, she said there has been no clear improvement so far, with institutional safeguards still inadequate.

Hsu said such venues often involve insufficient equipment anchoring, poor crowd control or a lack of on-site management staff, creating potential safety risks for children.

She also reminded parents that during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday period, they should accompany their children at all times when using play facilities.

They should also check whether sites display clear approval information and safety notices, as well as whether basic safety measures are being properly implemented, she added.