(KINGSTON, Kitsap County) -- A 4 year-old boy suffered possible abdominal and head injuries in a two-vehicle collision here on Thursday evening.

North Kitsap Fire & Rescue crews were called to the intersection of SR 104 and Miller Bay Road at about 7:00pm. Arriving at the scene, just minutes away from the district's new headquarters fire station, firefighters found an older BMW sedan with heavy front-end damage. A 1999 Ford F250 pick-up, with only minimal damage, rested on the grass surrounding the infamous Kountry Korners chainsaw sculptures. Its driver denied any injuries.

A Poulsbo family had been riding in the BMW. Although the mother and two older brothers denied injuries, the 4 year-old had a developing bruise on his forehead and was complaining of belly pain. Everyone in the BMW was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash but the 4 year-old was restrained by a lap belt only.

Paramedics say that, unfortunately, these types of injuries are not uncommon in car crashes involving smaller children. Many parents don't realize that lap belts or even lap-shoulder combinations don't provide adequate protection for their kids, whose bodies are too small for these adult-sized restraints. Booster seats can help. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that children ride in boosters until reaching age 8 and 80 pounds. Additional information about booster seats is available through Kitsap Safe Kids Coalition members such as local fire departments. Parents can also learn more on the internet at www.boosterseat.org .