Why a Car Seat May Save Your Child’s Life

by Shannon Rice
Child Advocacy Specialist

Back to school is in full swing and so is driving carpools. Rides for school, lessons, games, and other activities make car-pooling a big part of a parent’s life. As I miss the dog days of summer and run from place to place with a carload of kids, I am reminded of how easy it can be to NOT use car seats and seat belts.

Some common excuses for not using safety restraints include:

1. Life is busy. A person may feel too rushed or is in such a hurry that he/she is unaware of what the children are doing during the car ride. Using restraints takes time and awareness.
2. Short travel distance. Many car rides are around the corner to school or to the grocery store. One might think, “What could happen just a few miles from home?”
3. Over Crowded Carpools. Too many kids – not enough seat belts, car seats, or boosters seats.
4. Laziness. Sometimes a person may just not feel like taking the extra step to restrain a child.

While most of us have been in any of these situations, it is our responsibility as a parent or driver to make sure kids are safe at all times. We go to great lengths to protect our automobiles and homes. We pay for car and home insurance, even though these things are replaceable in most cases. So why would we not take the basic precautions to protect our most valuable assets and investments that can’t be replaced? To protect our children we should use child restraints at all times; not just when it is convenient, easy, or a long car ride. Buckling up is the best insurance and protection for a safe ride.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

• Car crashes are the leading cause of death for ages 1 to 13.
• Child safety seats and booster seats save lives.  They offer the best protection for children in the event of a crash.
• Child safety restraints can reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers.
• Children ages 4 to 8 years old who use proper child safety restraints lower the risk of injury by 45 percent in vehicle crashes compared with children who are restrained only by a seat belt.

NHTSA estimates that roughly 3 out of 4 child safety seats are not used correctly.  Car seats are a top priority for our certified child passenger safety technicians at Primary Children’s Hospital. We are excited to celebrate National Child Passenger Safety Week by holding a car seat check point at our Riverton Outpatient Facility on September 19, 2013. Whether your loved ones are in harnessed seats, booster seats, or seat belts, come help us celebrate and have your seat checked for free.

Date & Time

Thursday, September 19, 2013
2 pm – 6 pm

Location

Primary Children’s Outpatient Services
at Riverton Hospital
3773 West 12600 South
Riverton, Utah
Map & Directions

Questions? Call (801) 662-6583 or visit primarychildrens.org

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Shannon England-Rice has a degree in Public Heath, and has been working in Primary Children’s child advocacy department for 9 years. She’s dedicated to keeping kids safe through car seats, helmets, and parental supervision. She works with the Hold On To Dear Life campaign and other outreach programs. Shannon has 6 children and loves to exercise, read, shop, and travel.