Using Child Safety Restraints

New research by the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children are safest when properly secured in a rear-facing car seat until the age of 2. 
 
"If an infant car seat is used, the infant should be switched to a rear-facing convertible car seat once the maximum height (when the infant’s head is within 1 inch of the top of the seat) and weight (usually 22 pounds to 32 pounds) have been reached for that infant seat as suggested by the car seat manufacturer.

Toddlers should remain rear-facing in a convertible car seat until they have reached the maximum height and weight recommended for the model, or at least the age of 2."
"What to consider when positioning carseats for toddlers -- OKeefe 30 (4): 12 --." AAP News. Web. 15 Jan. 2010. <http://aapnews.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/30/4/12-a>.
Motor Vehicle Crashes are the No. 1 Killer of Kids.

Why?  In many cases, children are either not properly buckled into their safety seats or parents don't realize that a booster seat is vital to ensuring children fit safely in their vehicle's seat belt.

Currently, there is a major push to enact laws that require children to be in a booster seat until the age of 8 or 80 lbs.  As a general rule:
 
Rear-facing car seat/infant car seat until 2 years old and a weight reaching the maximum recommended for the car seat model used.*

Forward facing car seat until 4 years old and 40 lbs.

Booster seat until 8 years old and 80 lbs.
SeatCheck.org. Web. 15 Jan. 2010. <http://www.seatcheck.org/>.
HealthyChildren.org. Web. 15 Jan. 2010. <http://www.healthychildren.org/>.
*Age and weight has been changed to reflect new AAP recommendations.
Recent Statistics:
 
  • In 2004, there were 495 passenger vehicle occupant fatalities among children under 5 years of age. Of those 495 fatalities, an estimated 173 (35 %) were totally unrestrained.
  • Among children under 5 years old, an estimated 451 lives were saved in 2004 by child restraint use. Of these 451 lives saved, 413 were associated with the use of child safety seats and 38 with the use of adult belts.
  • Child safety seats can reduce fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and by 54 percent for toddlers, ages 1-4.
SeatCheck.org. Web. 15 Jan. 2010. <http://www.seatcheck.org/>.
 

Recommended Links

MT State Law for Child Safety Restraints
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/mca/61/9/61-9-420.htm
Car Safety Seats: Info for Families for 2010
A branch website for the American Academy of Pediatrics
http://www.healthychildren.org
Office of Defects Investigation
ODI is an office within the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that conducts defect investigations and administers safety recalls.  Please visit this page if you need to file a complaint with a defective product relating to vehicles, vehicle equipment,  tires, or child restraints.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm
SeatCheck.org
A national campaign to help parents properly secure their children in motor vehicles.
http://www.seatcheck.org/index.html

Safety Seat Inspection Locations


Please contact your nearest inspection location for times and appointment schedules.

Belgrade Fire Department
205 East Main
Belgrade, MT 59714
Hours: By appt.
Phone: (406) 388-4480  
Contact: Jason Wheeler

Butte-Silver Bow Fire Department
120 South Idaho Street
Butte, MT 59701
Hours: By appt.
Phone: (406)782-9509  
Contact: Marc Lee
 
Child Care Connections
317 East Mendenhall
Suite C
Bozeman, MT 59715
Hours: By appt.
Phone: (406) 587-7786  
Contact: Stacey Wesen

Bozeman Fire Department - Station 1
34 N. Rouse
Bozeman, MT 59715
Hours: By appt.
Phone: (406) 582-2350  
Contact: Scott Mueller