1. Car Seat Safety By: Dina Mahoney, RN IV Discharge Coordinator National Child Passenger Safety Technician

2. Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of injury-related deaths among children ages 14 and under. Why??? The high number of injuries and fatalities is because children are traveling in motor vehicles unrestrained or not properly restrained Misuse varies from 73%- to over 90%.

3. Infant carrier car seats….. Work best for premature and small babies Are small with a carry handle Only to be used rear- facing Usually come with a base May be used up to maximum weight and height

4. According to the AAP … If your baby is born less than 37 weeks premature  The measurement from the crotch strap to the back corner should be no more that 5.5 inches.  The Measurement from the lowest insert slot to the bottom back corner should be no more than 10 inches.

5. Positioning Inserts Only use positioning inserts that come with the car seat. Do Not buy inserts not made for your particular car seat. Inserts should only be used until 11lbs (read your manual).

6. Positioning in Car seat If No Insert is available with Car Seat.. You may… Use blanket rolls on their sides. Use a rolled cloth under the crotch strap to prevent slouching. Harness strap needs to be at or below shoulder level while your baby is rear- facing. Retainer clip needs to be at armpit level and make sure you can not pinch more than an inch at shoulder area on straps.

7. Never… Never place rolls behind the baby’s back or around their head (you should use blanket rolls as shown on previous page) Never use inserts that did not come with car seat Never use a car seat that has been in a car accident Never use a car seat that is more than 6 yrs old

8. Always… send in your registration cards. If it is lost, you can go to the manufacture’s website and fill one out online read your manual know the history of the car seat

9. For your Information There are car seats available for babies less than 5lbs. It is always recommended, you have the right size car seat for your baby’s weight. If your baby goes home less that 5lbs and your car seat’s lower weight limit is 5 lbs, you need to limit your outings until your baby is of appropriate size for the car seat.

10. Car Seats babies 4lbs and over Chicco KeyFit Infant Car Seat (4-22lbs) Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat (4-30lbs) Safety 1 st Onboard35 (4-35lbs) Mia Moda Certo (4-22lbs) $160-$190 $170-$190 $99 $120-$130

11. Rear Facing It is safest to keep your baby rear facing until 24 months or the maximum weight and height limit of your car seat. The longer they are rear-facing, the better. When rear facing in the car, the harness straps need to go in the slot at or below the shoulder slot. (When forward facing they need to be at or above shoulder slot.

12. It is highly recommended that you take your car seat to a check point station for installation

13. New Hanover County: Station #51 3805 US Highway 421 North (910) 772-7900 Station #61 Ogden Fire Department 7375 Market Street (910) 686-7420 Station # 41 Castle Hayne Fire Services 5311 Castle Hayne Road (910) 675-0237 Fire Department Headquarters 801 Market Street (910) 341-7846 Station #31 Myrtle Grove Fire Services 5636 Carolina Beach Rd (910) 791-5000 Station #91 Federal Point Volunteer Fire Department 9815 River Rd (910) 796-7203 Station #62 Porter’s Neck Fire Services 907 Porter’s Neck Rd (910) 686-6377

14. New Hanover County continued Wrightsville Beach Fire Department 10 Seawater Dr Wrightsville Beach (910) 256-7920 New Hanover County Fire Services Suite 130 230 Government Center Dr. (910) 798-7420 New Hanover County Health Department 2029 S 17th Street (910) 798-6636 Station #11 Wrightsboro Fire Department 3515 N Kerr Ave Wilmington NC 28405 (910) 763-7094 Station #9 1201 Military Cutoff Road (910) 342-2750

15. Pender County: Pender County EMS: 14388 Hwy 210 Rocky Point (910 )675-9198 Pender County Health Department 803 S. Walker Street Burgaw (910) 259-1416 Smart Start of Pender County 600 N. Timberly Lane Burgaw (910) 259-9978 Surf City Police Department 211 N Topsail Drive Surf City (910) 328-7711

16. Brunswick County Brunswick County Health Department 25 Courthouse Drive Bolivia (910) 253-2250 Oak Island Fire Department 101 East Oak Island Drive Oak Island (910) 278-1000 Southport Police Department 255 W 9th Street Southport (910) 457-7911 Leland Fire and Rescue 1004 Village Road Leland (910) 371-2727 Sunset Beach Police Department 700 Sunset Blvd North Sunset Beach NC 28468 (910) 579-2151 Ocean Isle Police Department 3 West 3rd Street Ocean Isle Beach NC 28469 (910) 579-2166

17. Other Counties Columbus County  Check with the local Sheriff Department or other local law enforcement office Duplin County  Check with the local Sheriff Department or other local law enforcement office Onslow County  All Onslow County Fire Departments will check car seats  Check with the local Sheriff Department or other local law enforcement office