Car seat safety
Every year children are rushed to the emergency room to be treated for car injuries, many don't even involve traffic or another car; sometimes occurring before the car ever leaves the driveway. Here are some of the top dangers to be aware of and the key things you can do to help make your car safer for your kids.
Is your child's car seat safe?
Did you know that 4 out of 5 car seats are used incorrectly? Make sure your child is riding safely.
Each week, we have certified child passenger safety technicians who check car seats for free in various locations around Tarrant County. Our team will show you the fit that is the safest for your child and your vehicle. If you are an expectant parent, please schedule your car seat check four to six weeks before your delivery date.
Effective Sept. 1, 2009, Texas amended the State Child Passenger Safety law to include children up to 8 years old unless they are 4'9" tall. Watch this short video to become more familiar with the requirements.
Texas law requires all children ride in federally approved car seats or booster seats made for their weight and height, until they are 8 years old or taller than 4 feet 9 inches. In addition, all passengers (including adults) above this age/height must use a seat belt, regardless of where they sit in the vehicle (TRC 545.412 / 9-1-2009).
To help you get started on choosing the right car seat for you child, we've provided the following documents. These are suggested guidelines:
Free car seat checks
Did you know that 4 out of 5 car seats are installed incorrectly? Safe Kids Tarrant County has four car seat fitting stations around the metroplex where you can make an appointment with a certified technician for a FREE car seat fitting. Please call 682.885.2634 to schedule an appointment on one of the dates listed below.
Schedule for upcoming fittings:
- Wednesday, May 22
Fort Worth
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Thursday, May 23
Arlington
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 28
Haltom City
9 a.m.-11 a.m.
- Wednesday, May 29
Fort Worth
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 5
Fort Worth
9 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Thursday, June 6
Arlington
9 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 11
Haltom City
9 a.m.-11 a.m.
- Wednesday, June 12
Fort Worth
9 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 19
Fort Worth
9 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Thursday, June 20
Arlington
9 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 25
Haltom City
9 a.m.-11 a.m.
- Wednesday, June 26
Fort Worth
9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Never leave your child alone in a car!
Did you know that it takes only 10 minutes for the inside of a car to heat up by 20 degrees F and it continues to heat up quickly even if a window is cracked?
Did you know that Texas leads the nation in deaths of children due to being left in a hot car with 85 deaths since 1998?
Safe Kids Tarrant County led by Cook Children's wants to make sure it doesn't happen in our community. If you see a child unattended in a hot car – that's a 9-1-1 call!
Look and lock
Establish a peace-of-mind plan. When you drop off your child, make a habit of calling or texting all other caregivers, so all of you know where your child is at all times. Place a purse, briefcase, gym bag, cell phone or an item that is needed at your next stop in a back seat. Be especially careful if you get out of your routine with taking the child(ren) to daycare.
Also remember to look in backseats and lock your vehicle doors so no curious child can climb in and lock themselves in. Store keys where little hands can't reach them. And talk to your children about safety and the dangers of playing in or around vehicles.
For more tips, see below.
Spot the tot
In 2007, it is estimated that there were 5,000 injuries and 205 deaths to children under age 14 as a result of being hit by a vehicle in a driveway or parking area in the United States.
Five seconds could save the life of a child.
Before getting in your car, walk completely around it to check for children before getting in and starting the engine.
Parents and caregivers should follow these tips to help make sure that children remain safe around cars:
- Before getting in the car and starting the engine – walk all the way around the parked vehicle to make sure children are not under or behind it. When possible, engage older kids as helpers to accomplish this.
- Ensure that young children are always accompanied by an adult when getting in and out of a vehicle.
- Identify a safe play area for children to use far away from parked or moving vehicles.
- Identify a safe spot for children to go when nearby vehicles are about to move.
- When walking near moving vehicles, in driveways, in parking lots, or on sidewalks – make sure to firmly hold the hand of each child that is with you.
- Avoid using driveways as play areas if moving cars have access entering or exiting these areas.
- Pay close attention to cameras or sensors available in many vehicles when backing.
From the car seat to the driver's seat
For years you've buckled them up in carseats, booster seats, and back seats. But now, they're old enough to buckle up and take their place in the driver's seat. Before you hand off the keys, here are a few recommended things you can do to steer them in the right direction and get them on the road to safe driving:
- Know the state rules with regard to teen driving.
- Be a good role model by following the road rules and practicing safe driving
- Be a partner in your child's driver's education
- Stress the importance of seatbelts for everyone in the car
- Set clear limits and rules ahead of time. Before driving lessons even begin, it is important to have a plan in place, preferably in writing, so that your teen fully understands the responsibilities of driving and what is expected of him or her.
Resources
For more information, please contact Dana Walraven, Safe Kids Tarrant County coordinator at 682-885-1619 or email safe.kids@cookchildrens.org.
