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Guest column

The critical, but often forgotten, link in child car safety

By SUSAN LITTNAN
Published February 13, 2006

Every year, children suffer needless injury in motor vehicle crashes. Children ages 4 to 8 who use booster seats are 59 percent less likely to be injured in a car crash than children who are restrained only by a safety belt, according to a study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for all people ages from 3 to 33.

There is a positive relationship between drivers who use seat belts and children being properly restrained in the vehicle. Ninety-two percent of children who are transported by a seat belted driver are restrained, compared to only 62 percent of children transported by unrestrained drivers.

That's why the Citrus County Health Department is joining with the NHTSA and the Ad Council to promote Child Passenger Safety Week, which runs through Saturday. The primary goal this year is to remind parents and caregivers who transport children that, if the kids are shorter than 4 feet 9, they need to be in a booster seat. Only an estimated 10 to 20 percent of children who should be in a booster do actually ride in one.

As children grow, how they are restrained safely in a car, truck, van or SUV changes, and it is imperative that all children younger than 13 ride in the back seat. For maximum safety, parents need to follow the four steps for kids:

--Use rear-facing infant seats in the back seat of the vehicle from birth to 20 pounds and then a rear-facing convertible seat for children up to 30 pounds or the maximum rear-facing weight recommenced by the car seat manufacturer.

--Use a forward-facing convertible seat for children from 30 to 40 pounds, and the child must be older than 1 to face forward.

--Use a booster seat with the lap and shoulder belt of the vehicle after the child outgrows the toddler seat, until the child is at least 4 feet 9.

--Use safety belts in the back seat when the child is taller than 4 feet 9 and fits correctly and comfortably in the seat belt.

Many parents are under the false impression that children who have outgrown child safety seats can move right into regular seat belts, but nothing could be further from the truth. This year, on Valentine's Day, and during Child Passenger Safety Week, we are working hard to remind all parents, grandparents and child care providers to use a booster seat to raise their kids to the right height in the car.

Some parents or caregivers may regard booster seats as a hassle to use or a pain to convince their children to use. Most kids like using a booster once they try it, because it allows them to see out the window of the vehicle. Use a booster because you love them and it is best for their safety.

NHTSA and the Ad Council have launched new public service announcements to inform the parents of young children that booster seats are the critical (but often forgotten) step needed between car seats and regular seat belts. The campaign includes new television, radio, print, outdoor and online public service announcements.

The new public service announcements promote the following booster seat message: Raise your child right. If they're shorter than 4 feet 9, put them in a booster seat.

For more information about Child Passenger Safety Week and the proper use of booster seats, visit http://www.boosterseat.gov For questions or information on all child safety seats, contact me at at the Citrus County Health Department, 726-1731, ext. 242 or www.citruscountyhealth.org.

--Editor's note: This public service article on child safety was provided by Susan Littnan, child passenger safety instructor at the Citrus County Health Department, 120 N Montgomery Ave., Inverness. Free car seat safety inspections are conducted by appointment; call 726-1731, Ext. 242.

[Last modified February 13, 2006, 00:45:19]