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Transporting Children Safely: Texas AgriLife Extension Service Guidelines

Learn about child passenger safety laws, crash dynamics, and the importance of seat belts and child restraints. Discover how to choose the best child safety seat and avoid common mistakes in securing children. Follow the 4 steps for child safety seats and understand the different types of restraint systems. Stay informed about recalls and proper usage of safety seats to protect your child in vehicles.

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Transporting Children Safely: Texas AgriLife Extension Service Guidelines

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  1. TRANSPORTING CHILDREN SAFELY IN CHILD CARE Passenger Safety Texas AgriLife Extension Service in cooperation with Texas Department of Transportation Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating

  2. The Problem • Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among children ages 3 and up. • Nationally, over half of the children who died in crashes were unrestrained (NHTSA).

  3. The Law in Texas NEW LAW EFFECTIVE 9/1/09 • Children under 8 years of age UNLESS taller than 4’9” must be restrained in a child restraint system according to the manufacturer’s instructions. • All passengers in any seating position must be secured by a seat belt. • 12 and 15 passenger vans are included.

  4. Misuse Rates Are High Passenger Safety Project FY 99 - FY 09 1% 99% Misuse • 12,000 seats checked • More than 99% misuse

  5. Crash Dynamics • When we travel in a car, we are moving at the same speed as the car. • Law of physics: An object in motion stays in motion until it is stopped by an outside force. • In a crash, the car might be stopped by another vehicle, a tree, or another object.

  6. More on Crash Dynamics • Unbuckled passengers will be stopped by the windshield, a hard surface in the vehicle, another person, or the pavement if ejected. • Restrained occupants will be stopped by the harnesses of the child safety seat or a seat belt. • You get to choose what will stop you!

  7. How Seat Belts and Child Restraints Protect • Prevents people from being thrown from the vehicle • Contacts body at strongest places • Spreads crash forces over a wide area of the body • Helps the body slow down • Protects the head, neck, and spinal cord

  8. Effectiveness of Child Restraints • 71% effective in reducing infant deaths • 54% effective in reducing toddler deaths • 69% effective in reducing hospitalization need • Children 37% less likely to be fatally injured riding in the rear seat

  9. Child Safety Seats – The 4 Steps

  10. What Is the Best Child Safety Seat? • Fits child - appropriate for child’s height, weight, and age • Fits in the vehicle • Seat that will be used correctly all the time

  11. What to Avoid • Seat involved in crash • Missing labels • More than 5 years old • Cracks or rust • Parts missing • On recall list • Second-hand seats

  12. Recalls • Recall lists on NHTSA Web site • NHTSA: • http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov • AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE • 1-888-DASH-2-DOT • Child Safety Seat Manufacturer

  13. Important COSCO Read the instruction book that comes with the seat. Rear Facing Infant Seat INSTRUCTIONS READ AND KEEP FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

  14. Infant only Convertible seats Forward-facing only Booster Safety belts Types of Child Restraint Systems

  15. Infant-only Seats • Rear-facing • Birth/5 lbs. to 20/22 lbs. • Supports head and spine in crash

  16. Aftermarket Products • Thick padding added under or behind child or harness • Pads on harness straps

  17. Acceptable Padding Receiving blankets/cloth diapers that don’t interfere with harness and/or shell contact may be used.

  18. Convertible Seats 5-Point Harness Tray Shield T-Shield

  19. Rear-facing Convertibles Rear-facing until at least20 lbs.andone year old • Safer to leave child rear-facing longer (to wt. and ht. limit of seat) UP TO AGE 2 or MORE • Current rear-facing convertible seats go to 30/35 lbs. rear-facing 5-Point Harness

  20. Transition to Forward-facing Convertible • Child must be at least one year and20 lbs. • Child’s weight exceeds limits of rear-facing seat – 30/35 lbs. • Child’s height exceeds limits of seat (need 1” from top of child’s head to top of shell)

  21. Harness Strap Slots Rear-facing • Harness straps at or below shoulders Forward-facing • Harness straps at or above shoulders Harness Slots

  22. Harness Strap Slots Convertible Seat • Some convertible seats only have top harness slots reinforced for forward-facing use. READ INSTUCTIONS! Harness Slots

  23. Harness Strap Slots • Harness straps in wrong slot for forward- facing child • Harness straps ripped through lower slots • 2 yr. old child died of a spinal cord injury

  24. Harness Straps Snug • Straps must be snug • Not able to pinch any of webbing on harness

  25. Retainer Clip Retainer Clip • Place at level armpit to armpit • Holds straps in position Retainer Clip

  26. Transition to Forward-Facing Only • Combination Seat • Forward-facing only (higher top harness slot) • After 40 lbs.* harness is removed; use as belt-positioning booster *Some newer seats have higher harness weights.

  27. Boosters Boosters are for children: Mature enough to sit still in lap/shoulder belt Usually 4 years of age and over 40 lbs.

  28. Alternatives for Boosters for Children over 40 Pounds • Convertible seats that go to 50-65 lbs. forward-facing • Combination seats that go to 50-80 lbs. and then become booster seats • Forward-facing seats that go up to 105 lbs. but do not become boosters • Vests that go to 168 lbs. • See handout on higher weight seats Graco Nautilus

  29. Transition to Booster Seat Choice: booster or safety belt? • Safety belts do not fit • Short height and legs • Rounded hips • Booster helps child fit the adult safety belt

  30. Boosters • 4 - 8+ years old and under 4’9” • Types: • High back belt-positioning • Backless belt-positioning • Boosters must be used with a lap and shoulder belt!

  31. High Back Belt-Positioning Booster • Maximum weight – 80/100* lbs. • Provides head support • Most high-back boosters start at 30 lbs. • BEST PRACTICE is to keep child in a 5-point harness until 40 lbs. * Some go to more than 100 lbs.

  32. Backless Belt-positioning Booster • Used when head restraint is present • Fits 40 lbs. up to 80/100 lbs. • A few go over 100 lbs.

  33. Solutions for Vehicles with Lap Belts Only • Vests are available that can go up to 168 lbs. • Many vests can be used with lap only belts (may also need tether) • E-Z-On Travel Vest • http://www.ezonpro.com • RideSafer Travel Vest • http://www.safertrafficsystem.com E-Z-On Vest RideSafer Travel Vest

  34. Transition to Lap/Shoulder Belt • Child should not slouch • Lap portion should fit low on hips • Shoulder portion should fit across chest and shoulder • Never put shoulder portion behind back or under arm • Fits children at least 4’9’’ tall -usually around 8-12 yrs. old

  35. Safety in and around Vehicles • Not all vehicle-related injuries and deaths to children are from motor vehicle crashes. • Children are at risk in and around vehicles in non-crash incidents. • Jacob’s Law – effective 9/1/09

  36. Children at Risk from Hyperthermia • Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle. • In just 10 minutes, temperatures can increase almost 20 degrees. • A child’s body temperature rises 3-5 times faster than an adult’s. • In more than half of the cases, the child was ‘forgotten’ by the care giver.

  37. Children at Risk in Cars with Engine Running • Children left alone in a vehicle with the engine running can accidently or deliberately set the vehicle in motion. • An unbelted child in a moving vehicle is also at great risk of injury. • Power windows can be activated and pose a great danger for children.

  38. Children at Risk for Backovers • According to KidsandCars.org there are 50 children backed over each week – 48 are injured and 2 die. • Blind spots are the main reasons for backovers.

  39. Follow Safety Tips • Injuries and death to children in and around vehicles can be prevented. • Follow a routine of safety precautions. • Help avoid needless injuries and deaths that bring tragedy to all involved. • See the safety tips handout.

  40. Resources • Online course available: Transporting Children Safely in Child Care at: • http://childcare.tamu.edu • 2 clock hours • Meets new requirements for 2 additional hours of transportation safety • Locate a technician • http://buckleup.tamu.edu

  41. Working Together Let’s help keep the children of Texas safe and healthy!

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