RISP offers tips for child passenger safety week

Posted 9/21/17

Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Director of the Department of Public Safety, notes that car crashes remain a leading cause of death for children. …

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RISP offers tips for child passenger safety week

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Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Director of the Department of Public Safety, notes that car crashes remain a leading cause of death for children. That’s why she is offering important safety tips and reminders in advance of national Child Passenger Safety Week, which runs from September 17 to 23.

Every 33 seconds, a child under age 13 is involved in a crash, according to a study of federal highway statistics in 2015. Parents and caregivers can help protect children by making sure they are properly secured in child seats, booster seats or seatbelts at all times.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reports that more than one-third of children under age 13 who died in car crashes in 2015 were not buckled at the time. The agency also found that nearly two of three car seats are misused, which also puts children at risk.

Colonel Assumpico reminds motorists that it’s important to select, install and use car seats, booster seats and seatbelts correctly to help prevent injury and death. Here are some basic guidelines set by the American Academy of Pediatrics and federal highway safety officials:

Birth to Age 2 – rear-facing car seat: Buckle children into rear-facing car seats until age 2 or when they reach the upper limits of height or weight for those seats.

Age 2 to 5 – forward-facing car seat: Children who’ve outgrown rear-facing car seats should be buckled into forward-facing car seats until at least age 5 or when they’ve outgrown the height or weight limits for those seats.

Age 5 to 8 (or until seat belt fits properly) – booster seat: Once they’ve outgrown a car seat, children should be buckled into a booster seat until they’re at least 57 inches (4 feet 9 inches) tall, when a regular seatbelt will fit them properly.

Children over 57 inches tall – seatbelts: Children who have outgrown booster seats should wear seatbelts that fit properly across the lap, with the belt across the upper thighs (not stomach) and a shoulder belt that lays across the chest (not neck).

Colonel Assumpico also offers these important reminders:

Every occupant – infant, child, teen and adult – should be properly buckled in a motor vehicle.

Children under age 13 should be secured car seats, booster seats or seatbelts in the back seat of the vehicle. (The middle of the back seat is the safest spot.)

Make sure car seats and booster seats are properly installed and used correctly.

Never place a rear-facing car seat in the front seat of a car because an airbag could cause serious injury or death if deployed.

Learn more about choosing, installing and using car seats correctly on NHTSA’s website. The Rhode Island State Police also will offer free child seat safety check during the 2nd Annual Vintage Cruiser Show, which will be held at Rhode Island State Police Headquarters, 311, Danielson Pike, North Scituate, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24.

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