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Good Afternoon and Welcome. Child Safety Seats. Michael Earney Law Enforcement Coordinator Texas Municipal Police Association 6200 La Calma Drive, Ste. 200 Austin, Texas 78752 Cell: 512-560-7149 fax: 512/454-8860 mike.earney@tmpa.org. Crashes are the #1 killer of children ages 1-12.
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Good Afternoon and Welcome Child Safety Seats
Michael EarneyLaw Enforcement CoordinatorTexas Municipal Police Association6200 La Calma Drive, Ste. 200Austin, Texas 78752Cell: 512-560-7149fax: 512/454-8860mike.earney@tmpa.org
Crashes Happen with Great Force Weight of person times the speed of the vehicle at the time of the crash equals the force! EX: If your child weighs 30 lbs and you are traveling 30 mph…the force of the crash is 900 pounds of force.
Objectives After this presentation You will be able to: • Understand the 5 ways child restraints provide protection in a crash • Identify the different types of child restraints • Have basic knowledge of selecting, securing, and installing a CR
What do we teach our kids??? • How to Walk • How to ride a bike • Say NO to drugs • Don’t talk to strangers • How to read • How to tie their shoes
How do we protect our children from things that might hurt them..??
The Problem • Motor vehicle crashes (MVC) are the leading cause of death for Texas children ages 0-12 • The estimated economic loss due to MVC is $9.1 billion a year • If these costs were spread across the state's population this would translate into a loss of $899 per state resident
Why is MV a Public Health Issue? 2006 679
The Excuses • "I can't move with those belts on - they're so uncomfortable!" • "I only drive around town; how can I get hurt going 25 miles per hour?” • "I'm a good driver. I've never had an crash." • it is better to be thrown free, instead of being trapped by a seatbelt in a fire or submersion
The Facts • Newer seatbelt design allows for total freedom of motion while driving. • The latching device that secures the belt only goes into effect when there is a sudden stop, as in an crash. • People who are thrown from cars are 25 times more likely to be killed than if they had been held securely in their seats. • In the unlikely event your car catches fire or is submerged, seatbelts can keep you from getting "knocked out" and greatly improve your chances of escape.
The Facts • The majority of all car crashes occur within 25 miles of home. • 80% of all serious injuries and fatalities occur in cars going 40 miles per hour or slower. • You may be a good driver, but there are situations beyond your control ___???__ such as weather and road conditions (not to mention other drivers) that can affect your safety.
Protection Provided byChild Restraints • Prevent ejection • Contact the strongest parts of the body • Spread crash force over a wide area • Help the body to “ride down” the crash • Protect the head, neck and spinal cord
Correct Use of Child Restraints • Select the appropriate CR for the child • Secure the child properly in the CR • Install the CR properly in the car • Use a CR that meets appropriate FMVSS • Be sure all parts & instructions are available • Free of recalls, not altered, crash history available
Types Of RestraintsFor Children • Rear-facing only restraints • Convertible restraints • Forward-facing only restraints • Booster • Vehicle safety belts
Child Safety Seat Manufacturer Guidelines Rear facing infant seat: At LEAST 1 year of age and at least 20 pounds Rear facing/forward facing-Until 1 year of age and 20 pounds rear; convertible seat: 1 year of age or older and 20-40 pounds forward Forward facing seat: 1 year of age and 20-40 pounds Booster seat: Over 40 pounds and up to 8-12 years old Correct fit of lap/shoulder- Approximately 4’9” inches tall and 80 pounds belt only:
Rear Facing Only(Infant Seat) • ONLY face the rear • Birth/5 lbs. to 17 - 22 pounds (most models) or when head is 1” below top of shell
Rear Facing Only(Infant Seat) • Supports entire head, neck & back, reducing stress to neck and spine in crash • May have 5-point or V-harness • Some have a detachable base
5 Point Harness Tray Shield “T” Shield Rear Facing Convertible • Rear-facing wt range of 20-35 pounds • Child must remain rf until at least one year old • Use in reclined position
Securing Child In Rear Facing Seats • Back & bottom flat into CRS • Blankets at sides for positioning • Harness at or below shoulders and snug,with retainer clip at armpit level
Convertible Seat • Over 1 year & 20 lbs. • Seat in upright position • Harness in reinforced slots (at or above shoulders) • Generally must use top slots
Securing Child In Forward Facing Convertibles • Back and bottom flat into CRS • Proper harness slots • Harness snug • Retainer clip at armpit level
Forward Facing Seats • Combination child seat/booster • Most have 40 pound weight limit on internal harness • On most, harness must be removed and CR used with lap and shoulder belt when child is over 40 pounds
Securing Child In Forward Facing Only Seats • Back & bottom flat into CRS • Correct harness slots • Harness snug • Retainer clip at armpit level
Incorrect Belt Fit Correct Belt Fit with Belt Positioning Booster Booster Seats • Provides transition from CRS with harness to vehicle lap and shoulder belt • Minimum and maximum height and weight limits vary
Booster Seats Two Types: • Shield Booster • Belt-Positioning Boosters • High Back • Backless
Shield Booster • Best practice recommendations indicate shield boosters are not the safest option • Do not use
Backless Belt Positioning Booster • MUST be used with lap and shoulder belt • Boosts child up to help the adult belt fit correctly • Some models have shoulder belt positioners
High Back Belt- Positioning Booster • MUST be used with lap and shoulder belt • Boosts child up to help the adult belt fit correctly • Provides head restraint for vehicle seats that have a low back
Securing Child In BPBs • Requires lap & shoulder belt • Lap belt positioned low across top of thighs and shoulder belt across chest
Use of Vehicle Safety Belts • Lap belt only: • No upper body protection • Poor fit on child may cause internal injuries • Lap & shoulder belt are the best protection • Poor fit can cause serious injuries Poor Belt Fit Correct Belt Fit
Take the 5-Step Test • Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat? • Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat? • Is the lap belt on the top of the thighs? • Is the shoulder belt centered on the shoulder and chest? • Can the child stay seated like this for the entire trip?
Take the 5-Step Test • If you answered “no” to any of these questions…. The child needs a booster seat to ride safely! • Safety Belt Safe USA 2004
What Is the Real Problem? • While not rocket science, car seats are VERY confusing to parents • Large numbers of car seats, vehicles, & seat belt systems result in ENDLESS COMBINATIONS
Why Are Kids Dying? • Misuse is widespread • Most people believe they are doing it right • More than 90% are not!
Misuse Is Widespread • Common Misuse Includes: • harness loose on child • child in wrong type of CR • child moved into adult seat belt too early • CRS not installed securely
Real-world Misuse • Actual pictures taken at car seat check events
What’s Wrong With This Picture? • Harness straps loose and off shoulder • Harness retainer clip out of position • Loose seat belt
What’s Wrong With This Picture? • No (or out of position) harness retainer clip • Loose harness straps off shoulders • Child forward facing should be rear facing • Harness in lower slots in forward facing seat • Hard toys attached to shield
What’s Wrong With This Picture? • Big snow suit not allowing harness to fit properly • Harness straps loose and twisted • Harness retainer clip improperly threaded and low on child
What’s Wrong With This Picture? CRS reclined too far in rear seat Car seat is wedged with driver seat
What’s Wrong With This Picture? • Lap/shoulder belt not correctly placed on child • Shoulder belt cuts under arm and up behind head • Child should be in highback BPB