Life — April 4, 1930 — page 4: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis This is a **public health advertisement** from Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (1930), not satire or political commentary. The illustration depicts a **street accident involving an automobile and children**, with multiple vehicles and pedestrians in an urban setting. The accompanying text argues that accidental deaths—not diseases like diphtheria or scarlet fever—are the leading cause of death for children aged 5-15. The ad's message is straightforward: parents must teach children safety and provide proper playgrounds to prevent street accidents. It cites statistics (20,000 children under 15 killed annually) and warns that unattended children playing in streets face constant danger. This reflects early 20th-century concerns about automobile safety and urban hazards, positioning accident prevention as a serious public health priority worthy of insurance company advocacy.