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!