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VEHICLE SAFETY
Not just any old
safety seat will do
They’re the most precious of pre-
cious cargo. So when you’re trans-
porting children, it’s important to
do so with care.
From the time children are
born until they’re old enough and
large enough to use a vehicle’s
seat belt alone—typically between
ages 8 and 12—kids need car
safety seats. The reason is sim-
ple: According to Safe Kids USA,
vehicle crashes are the leading
cause of death for children ages
3 to 14—and a major threat to
children younger than 3 as well.
And for every death, hundreds
more children are injured. Safety
seats prevent injuries and save
lives.
When purchasing a safety seat,
your child’s age and size should
guide your choice.
A used seat may be an option,
provided it meets certain criteria.
For instance, it must not have
been involved in anything more
than a minor crash. The National
Highway Traffic Safety Administra-
tion (NHTSA) considers a crash
minor if all of the following apply:
■
The vehicle could be driven from
the crash.
■
The vehicle door clos-
est to the safety seat was undam-
aged.
■
No one in the vehicle was
injured.
■
Air bags did not deploy.
■
The safety seat appears
undamaged.
Check closely to make
sure the seat isn’t cracked
or missing parts. And
confirm that it comes with
instructions and information
about its manufacture date
and model number. You’ll
need that to call the NHTSA
vehicle Safety Hotline
(888-327-4236) to verify
the seat hasn’t been re-
called. You’ll also want to make
sure the seat isn’t being used
beyond the date recommended by
the manufacturer.
Finally, whether you choose a
new or used seat, be certain it fits
your vehicle properly.
You can learn more about
safety seats on the American
Academy of Pediatrics website at
www.aap.org
. Type “safety
seats” in the search box.
We can help keep your child healthy at any age.
To learn more, go to
www.shannonhealth.com
and
click on “Pediatrics” under “Medical Services.”
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H E A L T H B E A T