LAFAYETTE, Louisiana — This week marks Child Passenger Safety Week, and Acadian Ambulance is encouraging all parents and caregivers to take a moment to ensure their child’s car seat is properly installed and appropriate for their age and size.
“ Using the right child restraint system can be life-saving,” said Dr. Chuck Burnell, Acadian chief medical officer.
According to the National Highway Tr a ffic Safety Administration, 555 children under age 13 died in traffic crashes in a single year, and about one-third of them were unrestrained.
“Car seats are proven to reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers in passenger cars,” Burnell said. “In light trucks, they lower the risk by 58% for infants and 59% for toddlers. The evidence is clear: proper use of car seats saves lives. Buckle up every ride, every time.”
Acadian offers the following car seat safety tips:
• Always follow your car seat’s height and weight limits.
• Check both the manual and labels on the seat; every model is different.
• Make sure your car seat is properly installed in your vehicle.
• Follow both the car seat and vehicle manual. The seat should not move more than 1 inch at the belt path.
• Keep the chest clip fastened at armpit level, not over the belly. This keeps the harness straps positioned correctly on the shoulders.
• Check weight limits for latch installation.
• If the combined weight of your child and the car seat exceeds 65 pounds (or your vehicle’s limit), switch to a seat belt installation.
• If unsure which way your child should ride, choose the safer option.
• Rear-facing or harnessed longer is safer and strongly recommended when possible.
When weather turns cold and parents turn to bundling up their children against the elements, another set of rules apply.
• Avoid bulky clothing (coats, snowsuits) under the harness, as padding compresses in a crash, increasing the risk of ejection.
• Store infant car seat carriers indoors to keep them warm.
• Dress in thin layers, and add hats, mittens, and socks/booties.
• Tighten harness straps snugly every time.
• Place a coat or blanket over the harness, not under it.
• Only use car seat covers without material underneath the baby.
• Avoid non-original accessories — they aren’t crash tested and may reduce safety.
In recognition of Child Passenger Safety Week, “National Seat Check Saturday” on Sept. 27 offers a great opportunity to get free guidance on properly installing and using the right car seats for your children.
Find a nearby inspection location using NHTSA’s Car Seat Inspection Station locator.
Acadian Ambulance i s the largest employee-owned ambulance service in the nation, providing transportation and medical services to areas in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Tennessee. It is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services, and a member of the American Ambulance Association, dedicated to safeguarding the future of mobile healthcare through advocacy, thought leadership, and education.
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