National Child Passenger Safety Week

National Child Passenger Safety Week is Sept. 15-21. Child passenger safety technicians (CPST) nationwide are working together to emphasize the importance of child passenger safety. This week is an opportunity for all new or experienced caregivers to stay informed about best practices for keeping children safe on the road.

The Importance of Proper Restraint Use

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury and death for children under 13 in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), proper use of restraints can significantly reduce the risk of injury or fatality. When used correctly, child safety seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury by up to 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.

Despite advancements in car seat technology, many car seats are not properly used. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission estimates that 96% of all child restraints are installed incorrectly, reducing effectiveness. This highlights the need for ongoing education and awareness about child passenger safety.

The Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force has established Child Passenger Safety Fitting Stations statewide, with over 600 nationally certified CPSTs to address this issue. These CPSTs are trained to teach caregivers to select the safest restraint, ensure proper child positioning, and verify correct installation in their vehicle.

Choosing the Right Seat

Choosing the right car seat is one of the first steps in ensuring your child’s safety. The right seat depends on several factors, including age, height and weight. Here is a quick guide:

Rear-Facing Car Seats: This is the safest option for infants and toddlers. Keep your child in a rear-facing seat for as long as possible, until the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the seat’s manufacturer.

Forward-Facing Car Seats: Once your child outgrows their rear-facing seat, they should transition to a forward-facing car seat with a five-point harness. This seat provides protection for the head, neck and spine in a crash.

Booster Seats: When a forward-facing car seat’s height or weight limit is exceeded, it is time to move to a booster seat. The booster seat helps position the vehicle’s seat belt to fit properly over your child’s shoulder and lap.

Seat Belts: Finally, when your child is tall enough (usually around 4 feet 9 inches) to sit with their back against the vehicle seat and their knees bent over the edge without slouching, they can use the seat belt alone. The lap belt should lie snugly across the upper thighs, and the shoulder belt should rest on the chest, not the neck.

Following the manufacturer’s instructions when using child safety seats is essential. Improper use or installation can decrease the protective benefits of the seat, putting your child at greater risk.

Installation and Inspection

Correctly installing a car seat can be a complex task. To ensure your child’s safety, it is recommended to have your car seat installation checked by a certified CPST. Many communities offer free car seat inspection events, including those held on Seat Check Saturday. During these events, CPSTs can guide you through the installation process, check for errors and answer questions about your car seat.

Local agencies can be found at https://www.lahighwaysafety.org/media/gvvkz3s3/all-fs-july-23.pdf.

Louisiana Child Passenger Safety Law Birth to at least 2 years: Children must ride rear-facing in an infant or convertible child safety seat.

At least 2 years old and has outgrown the rear-facing seat by height or weight: Children should ride in a forward-facing child safety seat with an internal harness.

4 years old and has outgrown the forwardfacing seat with an internal harness by height or weight: Children should ride restrained in a belt-positioning booster seat using a lap-shoulder seat belt.

9 years old or has outgrown the booster seat and can pass the five-step test: Children should ride restrained with a lap-shoulder seat belt secured correctly on the vehicle seat.

Younger than 13 years old: Children should ride in the vehicle’s rear seat when available and be properly restrained.

A child who fits more than one category should use the restraint in the more protective category.

Other Transportation Considerations

Beyond choosing the right car seat, there are several other important safety considerations to keep in mind:

Always wear your seatbelt: Children learn by watching the adults around them. Consistently wearing your seatbelt sets a good example and reinforces the importance of safety.

Secure loose objects: Loose items in the car, such as toys or books, can become dangerous projectiles during a crash, putting passengers at risk of injury.

Avoid bulky clothing: Bulky clothing, such as winter coats, can compress in a crash, creating a slack in the harness. Instead, dress in thin layers, and if necessary, place a blanket or jacket over their lap after securing the harness.

Get Checked

National Child Passenger Safety Week is more than just a reminder to follow the law; it’s about protecting the most precious cargo you’ll ever carry. Join us at Seat Check Saturday at Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office Safety Town on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 9 a.m. -12 p.m. to ensure your child’s car seat is installed correctly and learn more about keeping your child safe on the road.

Sara Walters, DrOT, LOTR, BCP, CPST, is an assistant professor and the program director of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program in the School of Allied Health Professions at LSU Health Shreveport.