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Safe Kids response to Consumer Reports article

Car Seats Are Safe and Effective When Correctly Used

Safe Kids Worldwide wants to reassure parents and caregivers that car seats are safe and effective when used according to manufacturers’ instructions. Every car seat on the market in the United States has passed the same rigorous crash tests required by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Parents should not fear for their children’s safety in cars in response to a recent Consumers Union report raising questions about the performance of infant car seats.


If your infant car seat is less than six years old, has never been in a crash, is reclining at about a 45-degree angle in the car, is secured tightly in the back seat and if the harness straps are adjusted correctly for your baby, then you’re giving your baby the safest ride possible with current technology.Car seat manufacturers are required to test their products against federal standards using standardized procedures. Most manufacturers say they voluntarily test to higher standards. The federal standards do not call for side-impact crash tests at this time. Car seat manufacturers are working with the International Standards Organization to develop global standards that will include side-impact tests. The highest standard in the world today is in Australia, where car seats have to pass a side-impact crash test at 19 miles per hour. Consumers Union tested car seats at 38 miles per hour. We want to see the technology continue to improve, but we don’t want parents to lose confidence in their car seats today — the best protection available.


Any car seat made after 2002 can be installed either with safety belts or the LATCH system, if the vehicle is equipped with lower anchors for a car seat. Use safety belts or LATCH for an infant, whichever you prefer, but not both. If you’re worried about LATCH, use the safety belt. Above all, take the time to read the instructions for your car seat cover to cover — and the owner’s manual for your car.


Parents who need help installing or adjusting a car seat can get free hands-on training from a nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technician through the state or local Safe Kids coalition — visit our events page to find out when the next local checkpoint takes place.






CHANGES IN TENNESSEE CHILD PASSENGER LAWS

/local/images/newsletter/SKblank.jpg Governor Bredesen signed a Bill which revised the current child restraint law in July of 2004. This law was ammended and took effect on July 1, 2005. The entire law and ammendments can be view by clicking on the links below. The main provisions are these:

  • Any child under 1 year old (even if he or she weighs over 20 pounds) or any child weighing 20 pounds or less must be in a rear facing child restraint, in the rear seat, if available.
  • Any child aged 1 – 3 weighing more than 20 pounds should be transported in a forward facing CRS in the rear seat, if available.
  • Any child 4 through 8 years old, measuring less than 4' 9" feet in height must be in a belt positioning booster seat, in the rear seat, if available.
  • Provision is made for the transportation of children in medically prescribed modified child restraints.
  • Children aged 9 – 12 or any child through 12 years of age measuring 4’ 9" or more in height must use a seat belt system and is recommended to ride in the rear seat, if available.
  • Children aged 13 – 15 must use a passenger restraint system.
  • The driver of the car is responsible for making sure that children under age 16 are properly restrained and may be charged and fined $50 for violation of the law. If the child’s parent or legal guardian is present in the car but not driving, the parent or legal guardian is responsible for making sure that the child is properly transported and may be fined for non-compliance.

Click Here For Full version of the New Law in PDF Format

Click Here For Ammendments made in 2005 to this Law in PDF Format





New Study Finds Nearly Half of Drivers Violate Stop Signs Where Young Children Walk

October 8, 2003: New research unveiled today by the National SAFE KIDS Campaign and FedEx Express revealed that nearly half of motorists are not stopping at stop signs near school zones and in residential areas across the nation, potentially endangering children as they travel to and from school each day.To address these issues FedEx has teamed up with SAFE KIDS Coalitions all over the country to sponsor "Walk Our Children To School Day"

Click Here For full story



GOT A CAR SEAT QUESTION?

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Click Here: To contact a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician with your questions.



Updated ATV Report Released

/local/images/newsletter/SKblank.jpg Three groups, the Consumer Federation of America, the Natural Trails and Waters Coalition and Bluewater Network have unveiled a new analysis of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission data on ATV injuries, collected between 1997 and 2001. The analysis reveals that ATV injuries increased nearly 76 percent for children ages 12 to 15 and 233 percent for children under the age of 6. It also shows that at least 97 percent of children under age 16 injured by ATVs in 2001 were riding ATVs larger than the size recommended for their age. Advocates reiterated their support for the petition pending before the CPSC that requests a ban on adult-sized ATVs for children under age 16 and also calls for state laws regulating the use of ATVs.

Additional Notes:

(Click Here for full report in .pdf file)

New SAFE KIDS Study

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SAFE KIDS Study Reveals One-Third of Children Are Riding in the Wrong Restraints for Their Age and Size.

Click Here For full story



Used Car Seats

RECYCLED CAR SEATS? SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. recommends against buying used car seats at garage sales or thrift shops. Often these seats are missing parts, damaged, or on recall. There is no way to check them thoroughly without the complete manufacturer’s instruction booklet. They may even have invisible damage from a crash.

Click Here For full story






© 2008, SafeKids Coalition of the Greater Knox Area.