BALTIMORE (WMAR) — Up to 80 percent of parents unknowingly misuse their children’s safety seats. With car accidents a leading cause of death for children, advocates are using Baby Safety Month to make sure car seats are used and installed correctly.
The Association of Manufacturers of Juvenile Products celebrates Baby Safety Month each September to help parents safely navigate early childhood.
“Many parents and caregivers don’t have all the information they need to properly and safely care for their children, so this is our month to reach out to consumers and let them know some of the tips and tricks and the importance of following instructions. from the manufacturer,” said Joe Colella, director of child passenger safety for JPMA.
This week is Child Passenger Safety Week and Colella is raising awareness about the main mistakes parents make when using car seats.
He said that two to three children die every day in car accidents across the country and, in 2020, nearly half were not restrained and of those in car seats, about half were not properly installed.
Car seats can help reduce the risk of injury from accidents in general and can reduce the risk of fatal injuries by up to 71 percent. However, errors in the correct choice, installation or use of car seats can compromise the protection they offer.
“One of the most dangerous places you take your children is in your car, and the best thing we can do to protect those children is to have them properly buckled up, in the right car seat for their age, size, weight, and developmental level. and using that car seat correctly, installing it correctly in the vehicle, and sometimes it’s confusing. There are many different vehicles. Seating positions vary. There are a lot of different car seats out there, so matching them up is hard,” Colella said.
Keep children safe in cars; Car Seat Installation Tips
Some tips to keep children safe in cars:
Starting October 1 a new Maryland law will require children to ride rear-facing until at least age 2 and children under 8 years of age to ride in an appropriate car seat unless the child is taller than 4′ 8”.
Colella recommends that a professional inspect the installation of your car seat. On Saturday, September 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., a car seat check event will be held at Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School, 1100 Harvard Street NW, Washington, DC 20009.
maryland kiss, or Kids in Safety Seats, also offers in-person seat checks and low-cost seats for families who qualify. There are also virtual check options. here.
In addition to car seat safety, JPMA offers other tips for keeping children safe at home and on the road.
Because children are very curious and always get into things, the JPMA recommends that parents and caregivers start each morning with a daily safety check to spot potential hazards in your home from the baby’s point of view (kneeling and hands) and offers the following tips to help with common security questions.
JPMA said locks and bolts to secure household items can prevent many injuries.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, each year in the United States, about 3,500 babies die from sleep-related infant deaths. The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a JPMA certified unprotected crib or other approved sleep product.
For more information on Baby Safety Month and a full list of safety tips, visit BabySafetyMonth.org.
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