Safe Kids: Focus on Car Safety!

Michigan has taken another step towards helping keep our children safe. A recent Senate Bill was passed which becomes effective on 7/1/08 that requires all children 4 - 7 years old and less than 4' - 9" tall to be placed in a booster seat. Children under age 4 are already required to be placed in car seats, but most children ages 4 - 7 no longer fit in car seats and are still too small to be protected by seat belts which are designed for the average adult. This leads to injuries due to improper placement of the seat belts across the child's body causing abdominal, head and neck injuries in the event of a crash. A booster seat allows a better fit and reduces the risk of injury.

Motor Vehicle Crashes

Motor vehicle injuries are the leading cause of death among children and adolescents in the US.

Child car restraint systems reduce serious and fatal injuries by 71% for infants, 54% for toddlers 1-4, and 59% in 4-7y with booster seats compared to seat belts only.

What to do:

• Place your child in an age and size appropriate restraint system. Car Safety Seats: A Guide for Families provides up to date information and is available at www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm.
  
• If you need a car seats Mott car seat program does certified CPS checks and can assist with getting low cost seats. Call 734-763-2251 or visit their website at http://www.med.umich.edu/mott/pvguide/trans_car.html
  
• Keep children under age 12 in the back seat of the car which is the safest area of the car.
  
• Have adult supervision of children when near roadways.
  
• Teach your child about car safety such as being cautious when crossing streets, walking around, in between or behind cars, and playing near roadways.

For futher safety information go to:

Child Safety links:

www.aap.or/healthtopics/carsafety.cfm

www.kidshealth.org

www.cdc.gov ¡úNational Center for Injury Prevention and Control

www.usa.safekids.org

National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration www.nhtsa.gov 

 4/28/08