Take Baby Along

Traveling with baby can be fun, but it may also be more dangerous than you think. Crashes are the number one preventable killer and crippler of children. Over 50,000 child passengers under age 5 are injured each year. Many of these injuries are to the head and face. Too often, they cause permanent, crippling injury.

Everyone Buckle Up Right!

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates show that proper use of an approved child car seat could prevent up to 71% of the deaths, and 67% of the injuries. Yet many young child passengers either do not ride in a car seat or are not buckled in properly.

Pound For Pound

In a 30-mph crash, a 10-pound infant slams forward with a force of 300 pounds. It is just as though the baby fell from a third-story window. An unrestrained child can be thrown against the inside of the vehicle, or out of the vehicle, with enough force to cause serious injury or death.

Holding a child on your lap may seem comforting, but it is not safe. At 30 mph, a 125-pound adult smashes forward with a force of nearly two tons. A child on an adult’s lap can be crushed between the adult and the dashboard. And research proves that seat-belted adults holding a dummy “baby” in mock test crashes cannot hold onto the dummy. This is true even when they know when the “crash” will occur. The “baby-in-arms” seating position is not safe.

Flying Missiles

A correctly used child car seat serves 4 purposes.

1. It keeps a child from being tossed around or thrown out of the vehicle.
2. It distributes crash forces more evenly over a child’s body.
3. Because a properly used child car seat is, in effect, part of the vehicle, the vehicle itself absorbs some of the impact.
4. Using a child car seat improves behavior, so it is less likely that a child will distract the driver and cause a crash. It lets him see out better, so the child is better behaved.

Not For Cars Only

Cosco was the first company to have a child car seat approved for use on aircraft, allowing a child to have the same level of restraint as an adult. In addition, a child is more comfortable in his own-sized seat. An adult who doesn’t have to hold the child constantly can relax and enjoy the flight, too. Usually, you must purchase a ticket for the child. Check with the airline when making reservations to see about its policy for using a child car seat. And remember, no type of auto booster or travel vest is allowed.

How To Buy A Car Seat

Compare only those that meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213. Make sure the unit will be easy to use every day. Test it in your car; some models do not fit some cars.

The best time to buy a child car seat is before your baby is born. You can become familiar with it and begin good safety habits with the first ride home from the hospital.

For Babies

A household baby carrier does not provide protection in a crash. You must use a car seat that meets Federal standards. An infant-only car seat used rear facing cradles a baby in a semi-reclined position. Another option is a car bed that lets the baby ride comfortably lying down. Cosco’s Dream Ride® converts from a car bed to a car seat.

Facing an infant forward is a common misuse of car seats, and it is not safe. An infant may ride side-facing in a car bed (with his head toward the center of the vehicle) or rear-facing in a car seat. You can usually use a car bed in an air bag seating location (refer to your car seat and vehicle instructions), but never place any rear-facing car seat in an air bag seating position. The air bag can hit the top of the car seat too hard and injure or kill the baby. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly.

For Babies and Toddlers

Convertible car seats are for children up to about 40 pounds or 40 inches. They face the rear of the vehicle for babies and the front of the car for toddlers. Overhead shield, T-shield, and 5-point harness models are available. All work well when used properly. Use the car seat exactly as the manufacturer recommends; some face rear up to 20 pounds, others face rear up to 35 pounds.

For Older Children

Seats designed for older children are called auto booster seats. Some have shields for lap belt use that you must take off for use with shoulder belts. Others, called high-back boosters, may have an internal harness for use with younger toddlers; the harness is removed when the child is old enough to sit in the booster with the lap/shoulder belt. Make sure the type you buy will work in your vehicle.

Never use an auto booster with a child who weighs less than 30 pounds; follow the manufacturer’s weight limits.

Do not use an auto booster seat if the midpoint of the child’s head is above the top of the vehicle seat back or the booster.

Buckle Up Every Time

The “best” child car seat fits your car, is comfortable for your child, and is easy enough to use on every trip. No child car seat will work unless you use it correctly every time. You must follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly. Encourage your child to remind you to “buckle up” if you forget. Ask grandparents, relatives, and friends to make sure they securely restrain your child when he rides with them.

Locking Clips

Common Misuses of Child Car Seats

Some of the more common misuses of child car seats and the reasons they are so dangerous are:

• Infants facing forward: Too much force on the baby’s head and stomach; the baby may fly out of the seat.

• Vehicle belt not secured: Car seat will be thrown against child or out of vehicle.

• Vehicle belt not secured properly: Car seat won’t work right.

• Harness and/or shield not fastened: Child will come out of the seat.

• Harness and/or shield not fastened properly/tightly: Car seat won’t work right and child may come out. Always follow the instructions.

Caution!

Don’t leave the rear door of a hatch-back or station wagon open when you have passengers in the back seat. This lets in exhaust fumes, and dangerous objects may come through the open door in a crash. Children should never ride in the luggage compartment of hatch-backs or station wagons, or in the cargo area of pickup trucks or vans. Another dangerous practice is buckling two people with one belt. In a crash they can crush each other.

Federal Safety Standard

New Standards: Tethers and Fixed Anchors

As of September 1, 1999, all car seats had to meet an even stricter head excursion requirement (how far forward the head goes in a crash), which for most car seats means they require an extra strap called a tether; most vehicles had to have a visible permanent anchor hook for the tether to attach to. The tether is also used to help stabilize installation with certain types of seat belts, and holds the top of the car seat back securely when properly installed. You can add an anchor or tether strap to many older vehicles and car seats; call the manufacturer for information.

Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (latch)

By September, 2002, vehicles will have separate metal bars installed just behind the vehicle seat so that special attachments on car seats can lock directly onto the bars; the regular adult seat belt would no longer be needed. The tether would be part of putting a forward-facing seat in the vehicle, as well. The goal is to have all car seats install in a similar manner regardless of what type of adult seat belt system the vehicle has. There are two main methods of attachment for this latch system. The first is a set of metal clamps that grab onto the bars and lock. This is the more expensive system. The second is a set of extra straps with hooks that attach to the bars and adjust by tightening the straps. It is important that both straps be adjusted equally tight, or the car seat could “twist” in a crash. While less expensive than the clamp type of system, this type of latch seat is more expensive that a non-latch car seat.

For Mother-To-Be

If you are expecting, there are several things you can do to help protect your baby. Keep your lap belt below the baby to avoid injury to the child. Use the shoulder harness whenever possible. Tell your doctor if you are in a crash, even a minor one.

Each and Every Time

Remember —over 80% of all crashes occur at speeds lower than 40 mph. Deaths have occurred at speeds of 12 mph —about the speed you drive through a parking lot. The chances of being killed are 25% greater if you are thrown from the car. In addition, 25% of all serious injuries occur because passengers hit each other. Nearly 75% of all accidents happen within a few miles of home. Buckle up —every time.

Safety Rules

1. Check gas, oil, tire pressure, and tread before you leave.
2. Fasten children securely in their car seats, make sure the seats are correctly installed, and buckle your seat belt.
3. Avoid busy traffic; stop to eat or rest until traffic clears.
4. Lock doors; lower windows only halfway.
5. Do not let children touch the car controls.
6. Insist on quiet when driving. If you must discipline a child, pull off the road and stop.
7. Don’t leave children alone in the car, even for “just a minute.”
8. Don’t leave loose packages in the car. They can cause injury in a crash. So can an unbelted child car seat that is not being used.

For The Kids

1. On longer trips, allow time for children (and you) to get out and stretch every couple of hours.
2. Take a favorite security toy or blanket.
3. Provide books, crayons, paper, finger puppets, storybook tapes, and a flashlight.
4. Bring snacks like celery, gum, raisins, crackers, and drinks.
5. A wet rag in a plastic bag and tissues make clean up easier.
6. Do not nurse a baby by holding him in your arms —you will not be able to restrain him in a crash.
7. Keep extra diapers and a change of clothes handy in the car.
8. For older babies, bring a bib, baby food, and a spoon.
9. Dress children for the temperature inside the car. They may feel more comfortable without shoes or socks.

Entertainment

1. Tape bright magazine pictures on the seat back for babies to look at.
2. Count anything! Signs, blue cars, cows, 1-2-3 bridge!
3. Look for colors, letters, or numbers on signs or license plates. Play car bingo.
4. Sing nursery rhymes, seasonal tunes, or songs about the state or area you are in.

In the Air

1. Talk to your child ahead of time about how to board so he will know what to expect.
2. Take a child car seat certified for aircraft use. This will give your child a familiar place to sit. He will also be more comfortable in a seat designed for his size. He will be able to see better and can nap easily. Check with the airlines ahead of time to find out their policies. No airlines allow auto booster seats.

Always bring a few “car-sick bags,” tissues, and a damp washcloth in a plastic bag. If a child does feel sick, slow down, take curves gently, and open a window. If possible, stop and walk around. If you are flying, airlines provide air sickness bags. Reclining the seat and opening all the air vents may help. If possible, move to the front of the plane. A flight attendant can help you if your child becomes sick.

If a child does become ill, remember it has been a bad experience for you both. Don’t blame the child for something he can’t control. It only makes him feel worse. If motion sickness happens often, ask your doctor for advice.

Also, keep a first-aid kit handy. This is important for bee stings, small cuts, scrapes, and sunburn as well as emergencies. On long trips, take each person’s vaccination record, list of allergies and medications, eyeglass prescription, and the name and number of your family doctor. It might save time in a crisis.

We hope that the information in this booklet has been helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to write us.

Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc. • 2525 State Street • Columbus, Indiana 47201 1-800-544-1108 •
Fax: 1-800-207-8182