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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.
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CHANGES IN TENNESSEE CHILD PASSENGER LAWS
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
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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
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GOT A CAR SEAT QUESTION?
Click Here: To contact
a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician with your
questions.
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Updated ATV Report Released
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)
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New SAFE KIDS Study
SAFE KIDS
Study Reveals One-Third of Children Are Riding in the Wrong Restraints
for Their Age and Size. Click Here For full story
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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
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