TRANSPORTING CHILDREN TRANSPORTING CHILDREN SAFELY IN CHILD CARESAFELY IN CHILD CARE
Passenger SafetyTexas AgriLife Extension Service
in cooperation with
Texas Department of Transportation
Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating
Passenger Safety
The ProblemThe Problem
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among children ages 3 and up.
Nationally, over half of the children who died in crashes were unrestrained (NHTSA).
Passenger Safety
The Law in TexasThe Law in Texas
NEW LAW EFFECTIVE 9/1/09Children under 8 years of age UNLESS
taller than 4’9” must be restrained in a child restraint system according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
All passengers in any seating position must be secured by a seat belt.
12 and 15 passenger vans are included.
Passenger Safety
Passenger Safety ProjectPassenger Safety Project
FY 99 - FY 09FY 99 - FY 09
12,000 seats checked
More than 99% misuse
99% Misuse
Misuse Rates Are HighMisuse Rates Are High
1%
Passenger Safety
Crash DynamicsCrash Dynamics
When we travel in a car, we are moving at the same speed as the car.
Law of physics: An object in motion stays in motion until it is stopped by an outside force.
In a crash, the car might be stopped by another vehicle, a tree, or another object.
Passenger Safety
More on Crash DynamicsMore on Crash DynamicsUnbuckled passengers will be stopped by
the windshield, a hard surface in the vehicle, another person, or the pavement if ejected.
Restrained occupants will be stopped by the harnesses of the child safety seat or a seat belt.
You get to choose what will stop you!
Passenger Safety
How Seat Belts and Child How Seat Belts and Child Restraints ProtectRestraints Protect
Prevents people from being thrown from the vehicle
Contacts body at strongest placesSpreads crash forces over a wide area of
the bodyHelps the body slow downProtects the head, neck, and spinal cord
Passenger Safety
Effectiveness of Child RestraintsEffectiveness of Child Restraints
71% effective in reducing infant deaths
54% effective in reducing toddler deaths
69% effective in reducing hospitalization need
Children 37% less likely to be fatally injured riding in the rear seat
Passenger Safety
Child Safety Seats – The 4 StepsChild Safety Seats – The 4 Steps
Passenger Safety
What Is the Best Child Safety Seat?What Is the Best Child Safety Seat?
Fits child - appropriate for child’s height, weight, and age
Fits in the vehicle
Seat that will be used correctly all the time
Passenger Safety
What to AvoidWhat to Avoid
Seat involved in crash
Missing labels
More than 5 years old
Cracks or rust
Parts missing
On recall list
Second-hand seats
Passenger Safety
RecallsRecalls
Recall lists on NHTSA Web site
NHTSA:
– http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov
– AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE
– 1-888-DASH-2-DOT
Child Safety Seat Manufacturer
Passenger Safety
ImportantImportant
Read the instruction book that comes with the seat.
INSTRUCTIONSINSTRUCTIONS
COSCO
READ AND KEEP FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
Rear Facing Infant Seat
Passenger Safety
Types of Child Restraint SystemsTypes of Child Restraint Systems
Infant only
Convertible seats
Forward-facing only
Booster
Safety belts
Passenger Safety
Infant-only SeatsInfant-only Seats
Rear-facing
Birth/5 lbs. to 20/22 lbs.
Supports head and spine in crash
Passenger Safety
Aftermarket ProductsAftermarket Products
Thick padding added under or behind child or harness
Pads on harness straps
Passenger Safety
Acceptable PaddingAcceptable Padding
Receiving blankets/cloth diapers that don’t interfere with harness and/or shell contact may be used.
Passenger Safety
Convertible SeatsConvertible Seats
5-Point Harness T-Shield
Tray Shield
Passenger Safety
Rear-facing ConvertiblesRear-facing Convertibles
5-Point Harness
Rear-facing until at least 20 lbs. and one year old
Safer to leave child rear-facing longer (to wt. and ht. limit of seat) UP TO AGE 2 or MORE
Current rear-facing convertible seats go to 30/35 lbs. rear-facing
Passenger Safety
Transition to Forward-facing Transition to Forward-facing ConvertibleConvertibleChild must be at least one year and 20 lbs.
Child’s weight exceeds limits of rear-facing seat – 30/35 lbs.
Child’s height exceeds limits of seat (need 1” from top of child’s head to top of shell)
Passenger Safety
Harness Strap SlotsHarness Strap SlotsRear-facing Harness straps
at or below shoulders
Forward-facing Harness straps
at or above shoulders
Harness Slots
Passenger Safety
Harness Strap SlotsHarness Strap Slots
Convertible Seat Some convertible
seats only have top harness slots reinforced for forward-facing use. READ INSTUCTIONS!
Harness Slots
Passenger Safety
Harness straps in wrong slot for forward- facing child
Harness straps ripped through lower slots
2 yr. old child died of a spinal cord injury
Harness Strap SlotsHarness Strap Slots
Passenger Safety
Harness Straps SnugHarness Straps Snug
Straps must be snug
Not able to pinch any of webbing on harness
Passenger Safety
Retainer ClipRetainer Clip
Retainer Clip
Place at level armpit to armpit
Holds straps in position
Retainer Clip
Passenger Safety
Transition to Forward-Facing OnlyTransition to Forward-Facing Only
Combination SeatForward-facing only (higher top harness slot)
After 40 lbs.* harness is removed; use as belt-positioning booster
*Some newer seatshave higher harnessweights.
Passenger Safety
BoostersBoosters
Boosters are for children:
– Mature enough to sit still in lap/shoulder belt
– Usually 4 years of age and over 40 lbs.
Passenger Safety
Alternatives for Boosters for Alternatives for Boosters for Children over 40 PoundsChildren over 40 Pounds
Convertible seats that go to 50-65 lbs. forward-facing
Combination seats that go to 50-80 lbs. and then become booster seats
Forward-facing seats that go up to 105 lbs. but do not become boosters
Vests that go to 168 lbs.
See handout on higher weight seatsGraco Nautilus
Passenger Safety
Transition to Booster SeatTransition to Booster Seat
Choice: booster or safety belt?
– Safety belts do not fit
– Short height and legs
– Rounded hips
– Booster helps child fit the adult safety belt
Passenger Safety
BoostersBoosters
4 - 8+ years old and under 4’9”
Types:
– High back belt-positioning
– Backless belt-positioning
Boosters must be used with a lap and shoulder belt!
Passenger Safety
High Back Belt-Positioning BoosterHigh Back Belt-Positioning Booster
Maximum weight – 80/100* lbs.
Provides head support
Most high-back boosters start at 30 lbs.
BEST PRACTICE is to keep child in a 5-point harness until 40 lbs.
* Some go to more than 100 lbs.
Passenger Safety
Backless Belt-positioning BoosterBackless Belt-positioning Booster
Used when head restraint is present
Fits 40 lbs. up to 80/100 lbs.
A few go over 100 lbs.
Passenger Safety
Solutions for VehiclesSolutions for Vehicles with Lap Belts Only with Lap Belts Only
Vests are available that can go up
to 168 lbs.
Many vests can be used with lap
only belts (may also need tether)
– E-Z-On Travel Vest
• http://www.ezonpro.com
– RideSafer Travel Vest
• http://www.safertrafficsystem.com
E-Z-On Vest
RideSaferTravel Vest
Passenger Safety
Transition to Lap/Shoulder BeltTransition to Lap/Shoulder Belt
Child should not slouchLap portion should fit low
on hipsShoulder portion should fit
across chest and shoulderNever put shoulder portion
behind back or under armFits children at least 4’9’’ tall -
usually around 8-12 yrs. old
Passenger Safety
Safety in and around VehiclesSafety in and around Vehicles
Not all vehicle-related injuries and deaths to children are from motor vehicle crashes.
Children are at risk in and around vehicles in non-crash incidents.
Jacob’s Law – effective 9/1/09
Passenger Safety
Children at Risk from HyperthermiaChildren at Risk from Hyperthermia
Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle.
In just 10 minutes, temperatures can increase almost 20 degrees.
A child’s body temperature rises 3-5 times faster than an adult’s.
In more than half of the cases, the child was ‘forgotten’ by the care giver.
Passenger Safety
Children at Risk in Cars Children at Risk in Cars with Engine Runningwith Engine Running
Children left alone in a vehicle with the engine running can accidently or deliberately set the vehicle in motion.
An unbelted child in a moving vehicle is also at great risk of injury.
Power windows can be activated and pose a great danger for children.
Passenger Safety
Children at Risk for BackoversChildren at Risk for Backovers
According to KidsandCars.org there are 50 children backed over each week – 48 are injured and 2 die.
Blind spots are the main reasons for backovers.
Passenger Safety
Passenger Safety
Follow Safety TipsFollow Safety Tips
Injuries and death to children in and around vehicles can be prevented.
Follow a routine of safety precautions.
Help avoid needless injuries and deaths that bring tragedy to all involved.
See the safety tips handout.
Passenger Safety
ResourcesResources
Online course available: Transporting Children Safely in Child Care at:
– http://childcare.tamu.edu
– 2 clock hours
– Meets new requirements for 2 additional hours of transportation safety
Locate a technician
– http://buckleup.tamu.edu
Passenger Safety
Working TogetherWorking Together
Let’s help keep thechildren of Texas safe and healthy!