Jack's soccer practice at 4:30, Cassidy's karate class at 5:15, Corinne's Girl Scout meeting at 6:00…
Oh, the life of a parent…sometimes you are not sure if you are a mom or a chauffeur. After a while, driving your kids to all their activities may start to seem like a mindless task. But it is important to stay alert. Did you know that car accidents are the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children 14 and younger?
The first step you can take in protecting your children in the car is to buckle them up. Riding unrestrained or improperly restrained in a car is the single greatest risk factor for death and injury for children. And safety experts believe that anywhere from 80% to 90% of child safety seats are used incorrectly.
The following tips can help ensure that your child has a safe ride:
When a car seat is correctly installed and used, it can reduce the risk of death for infants by 71% and for toddlers by 54%. Make sure you have the right car seat for your child's age and size. As different seats will have different height and weight recommendations, it is important to carefully read the product information provided with your car seat. States may vary in their traffic safety regulations as well, so you may want to look up the laws in your state. A certified child passenger (CPS) technician can help with your selection; visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website to search for a technician in your area.
Another point to consider is your car. Most cars made after 2002 are equipped with the LATCH (lower anchors and tethers for children) attachment system, which offers additional protection. Check with your car dealer if you have questions.
The following list of types of car seats provides a general outline for their appropriate usage. Keep in mind that the manufacturer's guidelines for each seat can differ even within a particular category of seats:
If it makes you nervous to not be able to see your baby's face, allow enough time so that you can pull off the road periodically to check on your baby, or consider purchasing a car seat mirror designed specifically to allow you to see the baby by looking in your rear-view mirror.
And make sure your car seat is compatible with your car.
You can check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website for recall notices.
Do not use a car seat that is 10 years old or older. It is recommended that you buy a new car seat for each child. Replace any car seat that has been in a crash.
Do not take your child out of the car seat while the car’s engine is running or the car is parked where it could be stuck by another vehicle. This holds true even if your child is fussing or crying.
Even if you are running into the store for just a second, take your child with you.
If there is an airbag in the front, do not put a child under age 13 in the front seat. The back seat is the safest place in a crash, because children are farther away from the point of impact, which is commonly the front of the car.
Make sure your children know that your attention must be on the road and not them. Bring along some soft toys to keep them occupied.
Always wear your seat belt.
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Pediatrics
http://www.aap.org/
National Safe Kids Campaign
http://www.safekids.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Buckle-Up Basics
Canada Safety Council
http://www.safety-council.org/
Transport Canada
http://www.tc.gc.ca/
References:
Boosters are for big kids! SafetyBeltSafe USA website. Available at: http://www.carseat.org/index.html . Accessed October 2004.
Car safety seats: a guide for families 2004. American Academy of Pediatrics website. Available at: http://www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm . Accessed October 2004.
Car safety seats: a guide for families 2007. American Academy of Pediatrics website. Available at: http://www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm .
Child passenger safety. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. Available at: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CPS/ . Accessed November 2004.
Last reviewed January 2009 by Kari Kassir, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.