National Network for Child Care's Connections
Newsletter
Don Bower, D.P.A.
Associate State Leader
Home Economics
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension
Copyright/Access Information
Mary Lou Dickson cared for four preschoolers most days. Since
she was the only adult in her home, she sometimes needed to run
errands into town during the day. It was a short trip, so she
just loaded up the kids into her car and off they went. Often
she would make such trips special by including a stop at a fire
station, library, or other site the children enjoyed.
Mary Lou knew that her state had a law requiring youngsters to
ride in a safety belt or child safety seat, but since her car
was small she didn't have room for all that. In addition, the
parents kept their safety seats in their cars, and Mary Lou certainly
could not afford to buy some of her own! Besides, they were just
going into town, and she was a careful driver. When she awoke
in the hospital, she couldn't even remember having seen the car
that crashed into them at the intersection. The police and the
children's parents were there - the parents were crying and screaming
in anger.
What a nightmare! Such a tragedy could never happen to you, right?
We would never wish such heartbreak on anyone, but the fact is,
families and child care providers somewhere face similar tragedies
every day. Although all states now have laws requiring the use
of safety seats and/or safety belts with youngsters, too many
caregivers still believe "it will never happen to me."
What can you do to help prevent such tragedies? Plenty! Consider
these policy suggestions:
Child safety seats were very rare until the last 15 years or
so. Safety belts weren't even required to be installed in cars
until the late 1960s. For these reasons, child care providers
today have learned about safety seats along with new parents.
Safety seats made in the last few years are usually easier to
use and safer than earlier models. All safety seats made since
1981 meet current federal safety standards. A sticker on the back
of the seat should give its date of manufacture. Seats made earlier
than that, or ones that are missing any parts or have been in
a crash, should not be used. Buying used child safety seats is
a risk for these reasons.
Child safety seats come in many different styles, sometimes making
it tricky to figure out how to use them properly. Always refer
to the instructions that came with the seat, even if you think
you know how to use it. Most new cars also have detailed instructions
in the owner's manual on using safety seats and belts. Research
shows that more than half of child safety seats are not used properly,
thereby compromising their effectiveness.
Three basic types of seats are widely available - infant, convertible,
and booster. Each type has certain advantages and disadvantages,
and each is designed for use with children of specific ages and
weights.
Generally, INFANT SEATS are most popular with parents of children
from birth up to one year of age and 20 lbs. When properly installed
in the car, these seats face to the rear.
CONVERTIBLE SEATS are so named because they can be used with infants
and then "converted" for use with toddlers up to four
years of age and 40 lbs. Convertible seats may save you a little
money over buying a separate infant seat, but some parents find
them difficult to use with infants.
BOOSTER SEATS raise the child so that the vehicle safety belts
fit properly. These are not the same booster seats that you might
find in a restaurant, but serve a similar purpose. They are generally
appropriate for youngsters over 40 lbs., and may be used until
the vehicle safety belts fit the child properly without a safety
seat. Booster seats come in at least three types based on whether
your car has lap belts only or lap-shoulder belts.
Generally, the safest position for a child to ride in a car is
in the center position of the back seat. Lap-shoulder belts generally
provide better protection than lap-only belts. Never try to secure
two children in one safety belt.
For more information on selecting and using safety seats, check
with your local health department, a Cooperative Extension Service
office, or your state Governor's Highway Safety Office. Or, contact:
NHTSA Auto Safety Hotline - 1-800-424-9393
American Academy of Pediatrics - 1-800-433-9016
US Consumer Product Safety Commission - 1-800-638-2772