The American Association of Poison Control Centers
For poison emergencies or questions, call immediately 1-800-222-1222 Be ready to call 911
www.1-800-222-1222.info/poisonhelp.asp
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. You may have thses products in your home or are about to buy them! Subscribe to e-mail recall alerts from this site!
www.cpsc.gov
Safe Kids Worldwide
Safe Kids Worldwide is the first and only international nonprofit organization dedicated solely to preventing unintentional childhood injury. It focuses on one specific problem: more children 1 to 14 die from accidents such as motor vehicle crashes, fires, drowning, poisoning and falls than any other cause.
www.safekids.org
Also the local chapter, Safe Kids Denver Metro at www.thechildrenshospital.org/safekids
International Association for Child Safety
The International Association for Child Safety (IACS) is a non-profit organization formed in 1997 to promote safety awareness and injury prevention for children. Its membership includes safety professionals across the United States, Canada and Europe who’s business it is to childproof homes.
http://www.iafcs.org
The American Academy of Pediactrics
The AAP is an organization of 60,000 pediatricians committed to the attainment of optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.
www.aap.org
CPS Team Colorado
The mission of CPS (Child Passenger Safety) Team Colorado is to provide an environment in Colorado where every child is properly secured in an approved and appropriate restraint system while riding in a motor vehicle. This will be accomplished through public education, technical training, fostering advocacy and providing necessary resources. For info and install help, call 1-877-588-8687 or Denver Metro area 303-239-4625.
www.carseatscolorado.com
SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A.
Additional program with lots of info, links and tips for parents.
www.carseat.org
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Visit this site for important vehicle and car seat safety information. File safety complaints if needed.
www.nhtsa.dot.gov
All car seats, new or used, check them against the recall list!
Obtain your make and model, search this site, view the recall list.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/childseat.cfm
!Know the law!
Bold/blue indicates Colorado statute 42-4-236
* Safety advocates include the American Academy of Pediactrics, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Natinal SAFE KIDS Campaign.
Infants must ride in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least 1 year old and at least 20 pounds.
(safety advocates* recommend that infants continue rear-facing as long as possible for the best protection in a crash. Many larger "convertible" type car seats will allow children to ride rear-facing up to 30 pounds).
Children aged 1 to 4 years who weigh 20 to 40 pounds must be restrained in a forward-facing car seat.
(Safety advocates* recommend restraining your child in a "5-point" harness system until they are at least 40 pounds. This harness provides the best protection for your child. Use upper tether straps where applicable, refer to your car seat and vehicle's owner's manual for more information).
Children over 40 pounds who are less than 6 years old must continue to ride in a child restraint (unless they are 55 inches tall). Typically, this is a booster seat.
(While Colorado law requires older children to be restrained in booster seats until they are 6 years old/55 inches tall, safety advocates* recommend keeping children in booster seats until they are about 57 inches tall. A childs height is the best predictor of proper seat belt fit).
Children between the ages of 6 and 18 years old must be restrained in a seat belt.
(Everyone in the car should always be properly buckled up, either with appropriate car seats, booster seats, or with vehicle seat belts. Proper seat belt fit is achieved when: (1) The child can sit all the way back against the seat back with their knees bent naturally at the edge of the seat; (2) The shoulder belt comfortably crossing the shoulder between the neck and arm; and (3) the lap belt sitting low on their hips, touching the thighs. This is usually achieved when the child is 57 inches tall, regardless of age or weight).
Car seat tips Car seat tips Car seat tips
*Restrain all occupants of the car in the proper system needed for that person, always. Even for the short trips around the block. No exceptions. One person, one belt. No doubling up and no one left without.
*Adhere to the law as stated above, better yet, use the "best practice" as mentioned above by the safety advocates*.
*Monitor the childs weight and change seats only when indicated. A "convertible" seat can be used forward and rear facing. "Combination" seats can transition from a harness to a belt positioning booster. Read the owners manual.
*Older children sometimes like to buckle themselves. Always check the seat and belts. Do not trust they will do it right every time, you are responsible. Do not let them make the decisions in the car, you are the boss.
*Do not use third party, after-market items on the seats. Use only what comes with the seat or is sanctioned by the manufacturer.
*Do not strap the child in the seat/harness while wearing a coat or bulky clothing. This will cause a false sense of tightness. This is an improper fit and will compress under load. Use a blanket on top of the harness and seat.
*Keep the clutter and loose materials to a minimum inside your car. Loose items become projectiles during a crash and can injure you and your child. Even fatally.
*Check your seats for recalls prior to use and get on the recall e-mail list for future notices.
*Read the manuals, learn to install them correctly. If unsure, contact CPS Team Colorado.
*Fill out and send in the registration card for your seat. This is for recall info only. If you do not have one, obtain one here: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/childps/csregfrm.pdf
*What is the best seat to use? Use the one that best fits the child, fits your vehicle, and one that you will use correctly, every time!
*Latch or the seat belt, which is better? Use the system you can most easliy use and will do so every time. Either system is appropriate but use only one. It's a good idea to know both in case you move the seat to another vehicle. Read your manual and visit a car seat fit event.
*Never put an infant in front of an airbag. Never put an infant forward facing. The best location is rear-facing, in the center of the back seat.
These are just some of the rules and recommendations for the proper safety of your children. For even more tips, visits the sites mentioned above.
