Summer Safety 101: Child Passenger Safety Top 20

1. Model for your child...do you buckle up every time...make it a priority...make it a life-long habit!
2.  It's the law...in Kansas children must be buckled in a proper restraint system:  Infant Seat; Convertible; Forward-facing; Booster.  Find the one that best fits your child, your vehicle, your wallet.
3.  Children under 13 are safest restrained in the rear seat.
4.  When old enough to use the vehicle lap/shoulder belts (in a booster or on the seat) make sure the lap portion rides low on the pelvis/upper thighs and the shoulder portion lays across the chest (never allow a child to tuck it behind them). NEVER allow a child to use only the lap-belt!
5.  Don't be in a hurry to do away with the booster for an older child.  The law requires children 4-8 yrs. to be in a booster until 80lbs. OR 8 yrs. OR 4ft9in.  If using a backless booster ensures that your child's head & neck are protected by the vehicle seat back.
6.  Educate yourself:  read the manual that comes with the car seat; attend a car seat check lane; check out the following websites:  seatcheck.org; carseat.org; safekids.org
7.  When properly installed your child's car seat should have no more than 1 in. of movement at the belt-path.
8.  When you child is rear-facing harness straps should be at or slightly below shoulder level.  For forward-facing they should be at or slightly above.
9.  Recommendation is for children to remain rear-facing to 18 mo. & 35 lbs.  This offers best protection to their head, neck, and spine to 'ride down' the crash forces.
10.  Know the history:  yard sale season is upon us...use caution when purchasing a car seat that you are not certain of its history:  never been involved in a crash, all parts are present, no older than 6 years, not out-dated style (i.e. tray-shield)
11.  Your child's harness straps should be giving them a loving hug...loose straps are unsafe...make sure they are securing your child snugly in the seat & the vehicle belt is holding the seat snugly in place.
12.  Follow recommendations of the manufacturer for height & weight limits.
13.  Use caution with "after-market products"...if it did not come in the box with the seat it may not be approved for use by the manufacturer.
14.  Projectiles can harm or kill occupants.  Secure all passengers, toys, tools, items stored in the cargo area, etc. as in a crash anything not secured will become dangerous as it flies around the interior.
15.  NEVER place a child in front of an airbag.
16.  Insist that anyone who transports your child uses child restraints properly (grandparents, childcare providers, friends, etc.).
17.  When using LATCH (in vehicles manufactured in 2002 or newer) you must use the tether anchor for forward-facing; check your vehicle manual for proper placement (many have LATCH only in the two outboard positions - it is not proper to use the two inside anchors to install a seat in the middle position).
18.  Buckle up no matter how far you are traveling!  75% of crashes occur within 25 miles of home.
19.  Pregnant?  Buckle up with lap portion low (under your belly and flat across your lower pelvis/upper thighs) and shoulder portion flat against your collar-bone/sternum.
20.  Be aware of other dangers involving kids and vehicles (back-over’s; entanglement in the seat belt next to them; being left/trapped in a hot vehicle; injuries from power-windows; etc.)
Make it a safe, fun, and happy summer!!!