SAFELY TRANSPORTINGSAFELY TRANSPORTINGHEAD START CHILDRENHEAD START CHILDREN

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

Nationally, almost half of the children who died in crashes were not in child safety seats or seat belts (NHTSA)

Passenger Safety

Why Pre-School Children Need Car Seats

Hips are small and rounded

Not well developedAdult lap/shoulder

belts do not fit properly

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 are 37% less likely to be fatally injured riding in the rear seat

Passenger Safety

HEAD START RULES

January 2001– Head Start programs - 5 yrs. to

complyRequire all children to be seated

in a child restraint meeting federal standards

Driver must receive trainingOne Bus Monitor required

Passenger Safety

School Buses Design

Compartmentalization Designed for forward-

facing crashes Does not work well in

rollover crashes

20 in. min

24 in. max

SRP

Passenger Safety

School Bus Requirements

Large buses >10,000 pounds– Compartmentalization required

Small buses <10,000 pounds– Safety belts required– Lower LATCH anchors required in at least

2 seating positions 2010 – all new Texas buses required to

have lap/shoulder belts (unfunded mandate)

Passenger Safety

Child Restraint Systems for Buses

Ideal solution - Integrated seats

Passenger Safety

Child Restraint Systems

Conventional Child Safety Seats Fit children 20-40+ lbs.

Convertible Combination Seat

Passenger Safety

Other Restraints

Vests E-Z-On KidCam Fits 30-80 lbs. Can be used with lap

belt only

Passenger Safety

Other Restraints

SafeGuard STAR Fits 25-65 lbs. or 25-90 lbs. Can be used without lap belts

Passenger Safety

Cost

Conventional Seats - $40-$160+ Vests - $65+ SafeGuard STAR - $120-$150 Bus Seats with integrated seats - $600+

Passenger Safety

The 4-StepsThe 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

ImportantImportant

• Read the instruction book

• Mail in registration card

READ AND KEEP FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

Convertible Seat

INSTRUCTIONSINSTRUCTIONS

Passenger Safety

Convertible SeatsConvertible Seats

5-Point Harness T-Shield

Tray Shield

Passenger Safety

Convertible SeatsConvertible Seats

Can be rear-facing as well as forward-facing Forward-facing to 40* lbs.

Child must be a minimum of one year and 20 lbs. (some start at 22 lbs.)

IMPORTANT-Check manufacturer’s instructions for correct harness slots

* Higher harness weight seats are available

Passenger Safety

Combination SeatsCombination Seats

Combine a removable 5-point harness with a high back belt-positioning booster

Harness weight limit is 40* lbs.

All slots are reinforced

Choose slot at or above child’s shoulders

* Higher harness weight seats are available

Passenger Safety

Higher Harness Weight SeatsHigher Harness Weight Seats

Convertible or combination seats Forward-facing weight limit above

40 lbs. (50-80 lbs.) Good option for child not mature enough to use a booster seat More expensive May be harder to find

Passenger Safety

Special Needs ChildrenSpecial Needs Children

May be able to use conventional seats Some forward-facing seats can be

used in a slight recline when forward-

facing. Check instructions Higher harness weight seats may be an optionMedical seats are also available and go up

to 115 pounds. More expensive

Passenger Safety

Harness Straps/Retainer ClipHarness Straps/Retainer Clip

Straps should be at or above shoulders

Straps must be snugNot able to pinch any of

webbing on harnessRetainer clip – across chest

armpit to armpit

Retainer Clip

Passenger Safety

Installing it CorrectlyInstalling it Correctly

Choose safety belt or LATCH Whichever gives most secure fit

Center position is safest position Sometimes center cannot be used

Connect top tether Read instructions in vehicle owner’s manual Contact technician for inspection

Passenger Safety

Booster SeatsBooster Seats

Incorrect belt fit because there is no booster seat

Correct belt fit with belt-positioning

booster

Children under 4’9” do not fit well in lap/shoulder belts

Booster seats help position child– Help with correct lap

and shoulder belt fit

Passenger Safety

Booster SeatsBooster Seats

High back booster Backless booster

Passenger Safety

What to Avoid - Second-Hand SeatsWhat to Avoid - Second-Hand Seats

Seat involved in crash

Missing labels

More than 6 years old

Cracks or rust

Parts missing

On recall list

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

ResourcesResources

Get a free safety seat inspection with a certified technician

Locate a technician

– http://buckleup.tamu.edu