Our GOAL …… SAFER WHEN THEY LEAVE Child Passenger Safety Susan Burchfield, Trauma Injury Prevention Coordinator Child Passenger Safety Technician

WE can make a difference Traffic crashes can happen at any time Most parents want to keep their children safe and follow state law We can educate and advocate Texas law – 2009 Mandatory use of booster seats – until 4’9” or 8 years of age Everyone in vehicle must buckle up No one younger than 18 may ride in open-bed pick up truck No one younger than 5 may ride on motorcycle No one younger than 7 may be left unattended in vehicle

 Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 2 to 14. Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 2006  Of children ages 5 to 9 in Texas, just half are buckled up. Texas Transportation Institute’s Observational Survey of Safety Belt Use Among School-Aged Children, 2007  As many as 42% of children under the age of 17 ride in vehicles without the benefit of child passenger safety seats or safety belts. Texas Transportation Institute’s Observational Survey of Safety Belt Use Among School-Aged Children, 2007  In 2006, 1,136 Texans lost their lives because they weren’t wearing their safety belts or restrained in child safety seats. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Motor Vehicle Occupant Protection Facts, 2006 Facts about Child Passenger Safety Provided by TxDOT

BEST PRACTICE Based on recommendations by National Highway Traffic Administration, Safe Kids, American Automobile Association, and other advocacy groups Gold Standard of protection Most acceptable way to transport Based on child’s age, weight, height and body development EDUCATION is our best method to reduce injury to our children

Typical Misuse of Child Restraints Locally, 95% of child restraints are used incorrectly  Seat does not fit child  Seat incorrectly installed in vehicle  Seat recalled – unfamiliar with seat history  Retainer clip not at correct position  Lap belt too high on tummy  Shoulder belt behind back – no upper body protection

“ BEST” Child Restraint  The one that fits your child Height, weight, age, maturity  The one that fits your vehicle Latch, tether, seatbelt, airbags  The one that you will use correctly every time 1” rule

Force of Crash Newton’s Law Weight x Speed = Restraining Force 20 pound child x 30 mph = 600 pounds of force to restrain

Benefits of Restraint Spread force across large area of body Allow body to slow down with crash Keep people inside vehicle

When to Replace a Restraint Follow all manufacturer instructions Restraints should only be used for the weight/height specified by manufacturer Restraints should be replaced 6 years after the manufacture date Restraints may need to be replaced after being involved in a crash

After CRASH – Should Restraint be Replaced? Cracks or deformities visible? Vehicle driven from scene? Vehicle door nearest restraint damaged? Occupant injuries? Did air bags open? Always refer to manufacturer’s instructions

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA Four Steps for Kids Rear-facing child restraint As long as possible Birth – be aware of manufacturer’s minimum weight Until at least 20 pounds AND 1 year of age Best practice – higher-weight rear facing seats Route straps at or below the shoulders Clip level with arm pit Ensure baby at correct angle As little as possible between baby and the straps – remove blankets, heavy clothing

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA Four Steps for Kids (con’t) Forward – facing restraint  No earlier than 1 year of age and 20 pounds  Until child exceeds top weight or height allowed by manufacturer  Route strap above shoulder  Clip level with arm pit  Internal harness provides greater safety than seat belt with booster  Limit layers between child and straps

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA Four Steps for Kids (con’t) Booster Seat TX law – 4’ 9” or 8 years of age Position lap and shoulder belt to fit properly Must be used with lap and shoulder belt Select high-back or no-back NHTSA reports children moved to seat belt too soon are 4 times more likely to suffer serious head injury Use of booster seats will reduce risk of injury by 60% (stat provided by Texas Department of Public Safety)

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA Four Steps for Kids (con’t) Seat belt Everyone in vehicle must buckle up

OUR GOAL -- Children are SAFER WHEN THEY LEAVE Questions? Susan Burchfield, CPS-T S&W Trauma Center Injury Prevention Coordinator Safe Kids Mid-Texas Coalition Coordinator