Calaveras County Promotes Services for National Child Passenger Safety Week

 

September 16^th through the 22^nd is National Child Passenger Safety Week.  “Keeping children safe in vehicles is not as easy as it sounds,” said Dr. Dean Kelaita, Calaveras County Health Officer.  “The safety seat must be one that fits your child, and fits your vehicle,” Kelaita added.  Car seats and booster seats protect children birth – 8 years of age.  The seat must be used correctly each time a child travels in a vehicle.

Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death for children 1-13 years of age in the U.S.  Children’s bodies are less able to withstand the force of a crash.  That is why safety seats are required for infants and children.  A new 2012 law in California to protect children requires the use of a booster seat for children until they are 4’9” or 8 year of age.  A booster seat fits older children better than adult seat belts and keeps them safer.  Children riding in a vehicle who are not in an age appropriate safety seat have a higher risk of serious injury or death in a crash.

The Child Passenger Safety Program in the Calaveras County Public Health Department coordinates free services to families that include assessment, a safety seat, vehicle fitting and education.  Certified car seat technicians participate in the Partners in Child Safety Coalition [PICS] to help families find the right seat for their children under 8 years.  Certified technicians are made available by the Resource Connection, California Highway Patrol and the Public Health Department.  These technicians assess each child and vehicle for the best safety seat, provide or replace a seat if one is needed, fit the seat in the vehicle and provide education about securing children in the seat and current safety seat laws.  There is no cost for the services.  A donation for a safety seat is welcomed but no one is turned away for inability to make a donation.

The Public Health Department offered advice for families about safety seat use:

·         Most car seats have expiration dates, usually located on the seat bottom.  Check the expiration date before passing on a safety seat to a younger child.  If a date is not printed on the seat, contact the Public Health Department with the model number and manufacturer.

·         Thrift stores and yard sales are not good sources to buy safety seats.  Seats may have been involved in a crash.  Even a minor crash may mean the seat is no longer safe.

·         Recalled seats should be replaced.  You can contact the Public Health Department to check if your seat has been recalled.

·         Kids need to use a booster seat until they are 4’9” or 8 years of age.

·         A child under 8 years of age who is at least 4’9” should be assessed by a car seat technician to see if they can safely use adult seat belts.

·         A child over 8 years who is shorter than 4’9” should also be assessed to see if they need to continue using a booster seat or can move to adult seat belts.

Dr. Kelaita encouraged families to take advantage of the vehicle safety services.  “As parents we cannot always control if a vehicle crash happens, but we can assure the best protection for our children as passengers is used,” Kelaita said.  “That means making sure your child rides in the right seat, every time,” added Kelaita.

To make an appointment with a car seat technician near you, call the Child Passenger Safety Program at 754.6460.