Social media quickly ignited with mixed reactions to the ad, with many criticising the decision to broadcast it during the biggest sporting event of the US TV calendar.
Read the tweets below:
"I would have appreciated the intent of this commercial if Nationwide had not shown this during the Super Bowl," one viewer wrote on YouTube. "This is a gut punch to anyone who has suffered a recent or past loss."
"Lots of people have lost children in terrible ways and having insurance doesn't change that," added another, branding the ad "disgusting".
Nationwide's ad aired during the first half of the Patriots vs Seahawks game and shortly afterwards, the company issued a statement addressing the "fierce conversation" it had started.
"Preventable injuries around the home are the leading cause of childhood deaths in America. Most people don't know that. Nationwide ran an ad during the Super Bowl that started a fierce conversation," it read.
"The sole purpose of this message was to start a conversation, not sell insurance. We want to build awareness of an issue that is near and dear to all of us-the safety and well being of our children.
"Nationwide has been working with experts for more than 60 years to make homes safer. While some did not care for the ad, we hope it served to begin a dialogue to make safe happen for children everywhere."
Read more: Ten Super Bowl ads everyone will be talking about
- Independent
