Rush-Copley Reminds Parents of Importance of Seat Safety During Summer Travel Season

(July 10, 2009) - Every year, children suffer needless injury and even death due to automobile accidents.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Authority, of the children ages 0 to 14 years who were killed in motor vehicle crashes during 2006, 45 percent were unrestrained.  According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, in Illinois, 90 percent of child safety seats are not installed correctly.

During this summer traveling season, Rush-Copley is reminding parents and all childcare providers about the importance of proper seat safety for children.

Robert Brasky, Regional Occupant Protection Coordinator for Rush-Copley Medical Center, says that as children grow, how they sit safely in a car, truck, van or SUV changes.  Illinois law states all children must be in a child safety seat until age 8.  However, the following recommendations will provide the best protection for your child:

• Use rear-facing infant seats in the back seat from birth to at least one year of age and at least 20 pounds to decrease the risk of cervical spine injury in the event of a crash.  If a car safety seat accommodates children rear facing to higher weights, for optimal protection, the child should remain rear facing until reaching the maximum weight for the car safety seat, as long as the top of the head is below the top of the seat back.
• Use a forward-facing child seat with the internal harness from at least age one and at least 20 to 40 pounds unless the harness has a higher weight limit.
• Use a belt-positioning booster seat until the child is at least 80 pounds. 
• Use safety belts if the child is at least 4' 9" and 80 pounds. 
• All children under 13 years of age should ride in the back seat.

"There is no particular brand of car seat that is best," said Brasky.  "The best child safety seat is the one that is correctly installed and appropriate for a child's age and size.  If you are involved in a crash, you must replace your child safety seat.  Also it is important to set a good example for children by always wearing your seat belt.  It will help them form a lifelong habit of buckling up."

Rush-Copley Offers Child Safety Class
Rush-Copley offers a free Child Safety class taught by a nurse and a certified child passenger safety coordinator.   The class focuses on proper car seat installation, seat belt usage and general safety issues.  Bring your car seat, if you have one.  The next class is being held on Tuesday, July 14 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Rush-Copley.  To register or for more information visit rushcopley.com or call 1-866-4-COPLEY (1-866-426-7539).