Car Seats and Airbag Safety

An alarming figure from the National Safe Kids Campaign:

As of December 1, 1998, 68 children have been killed by passenger air bags. More than 20 percent of these deaths were among infants in rear-facing child safety seats in front of a passenger air bag. An additional 70 percent were either unrestrained or improperly restrained at the time of the crash.

DID YOU KNOW?

• In 1997, more than 282,000 children ages 14 and under were injured as occupants in motor vehicle-related crashes. Children ages 4 and under accounted for nearly 30 percent of these childhood motor vehicle occupant injuries.
• Seventy-five percent of motor vehicle crashes occur within 25 miles of home. In addition, 60 percent of crashes occur on roads with posted speed limits of 40 mph or less.
• The back seat is the safest place for children to ride. It is estimated that children ages 12 and under are 36 percent less likely to die in a crash if seated in the rear seat of a passenger vehicle.
• Thanks to the National SAFE KIDS Website for these statistics. Please visit them for more

Make sure your current car seat hasn't been recalled!

Click Here for a list of recalled seats.

Car Safety Question:

When can I move my child into a booster seat?

Not until he has completely outgrown his regular safety seat -- when he weighs more than 40 pounds or is too tall for it. He is too tall if his shoulders are higher than the top set of harness slots or if the tips of her ears are above the back of the safety seat. If he is too tall for his convertible seat but still weighs less than 40 pounds, switch to a child-seat/booster. These seats are slightly taller and can be used with the built-in harness for children up to 40 pounds and later as a belt positioning booster, with lap AND shoulder belt, for children up to 60-100 pounds.

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