iBerkshires.com Columnist SectionSue Bush
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Child Safety Seat Week12:00AM / Thursday, February 15, 2007
North Adams - Each year the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration promotes Child Passenger Safety Week during the week of February 14th.
Infants and toddlers are required to be in a car seat. But did you know that children between the ages of 8-12, who weigh between 40 and 80 pounds and are less than 4 feet, 9 inches tall are required to be in a booster seat?
Size Check
Older kids get weighed and measured less often than babies, so check your child’s growth a few times a year. Booster seat use is recommended until your child is between 80 and 100 pounds; and all children under the age of 13 should ride in a back seat.
Parents may think that an older child is safe as long as they are wearing a safety belt in the back seat. Not necessarily true. Take the safety belt test on the Safe Kids Worldwide website (www.usa.safekids.org). The test will assist you in figuring out when your child can come out of a booster seat.
Front And Back
Infants from birth to at least 1 and 20 pounds should be in a rear facing car seat. If your child weighs over 20 pounds, but is not yet a year old, s/he still needs to be rear facing. A convertible car seat can be used both rear and forward facing.
Toddlers, over the age of 1 and more than 20 pounds, should be in a forward facing car seat.
Getting Assistance
Installing a car seat can be confusing for someone who is not trained in car seat safety. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for car seats, booster seats and vehicle safety at all times.
If you need help, there are several certified car seat technicians in the area. In Northern Berkshire County, you can contact Bob Dobbert at North Adams Ambulance, Jared Ciempa at MCLA Security, Dave Simon at the North Adams Fire Department, Officer Tim Carpenter of the Adams Police Department or Sharon Leary at the REACH Community Health Foundation.
In Central and South Berkshire County, you can contact J.D. Hebert at Berkshire Community Action Council, Officer Charlie Bassett of the Pittsfield Police Department, and Jeff Giacolleto and Don Whalen of the Pittsfield Fire Department. Please make sure to call ahead. Just showing up will not guarantee that your car seat will get installed properly.
The REACH Community Health Foundation along with Berkshire Community Action Council will be organizing at least two car seat safety checkpoints in Berkshire County in 2008. For more information on when these events will be held, call Sharon Leary at 413-664-5404 or J.D. Hebert at 413-499-4421.
Every person on every ride must use a car seat, booster seat or safety belt that’s right for his or her weight. Using a safety belt in a vehicle should be automatic. Children follow adult’s examples, so buckle up.
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Just because a child can be forward facing, does not mean they SHOULD be.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, "Once your child is at least 1 year of age and weighs at least 20 pounds, he can ride forward-facing. However, it is best for him to ride rear-facing until he reaches the highest weight or height allowed by the car safety seat."
Rear facing is safest!
Also, Lisa Breault at Lee Ambulance does car seat inspections with appointment.
| | from: JKM | on: 02-20 00:00:00-2007 |
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