Car seat recommendations change
The American Academy of Pediatrics has changed its stance and guidelines on infant car seats.
The AAP now advises parents to keep their toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age 2, or until they reach the maximum height and weight for their seat. It also advises that most children will need to ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until they have reached 4 feet 9 inches tall and are between 8 and 12 years of age.
The previous standard was 12 months/20 pounds as a minimum for facing backward.
To read the full report, go to www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/carseat2011.htm.
A reference guide for all age groups can be found at www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx.
-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com
Get your car seat checked
Safe Kids Oklahoma is urging all parents and caregivers to get their car seats checked at their 3rd annual “National Seat Check” this Saturday, Sept. 12 at Hope Pregnancy Center, 1624 SW 82, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Experts will be available to give hands-on instruction on installing car seats and booster seats.
“We are urging everyone to have their child checked to be sure they are using the right restraint – a car seat, booster seat or seat belt. When it comes to the safety of a child, there is no room for mistakes,” said Christy Cornforth, local coalition coordinator, in a news release. “Parents should not guess on the installation of their child restraint.”
The coalition says that according to a 2008 study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4 out of 5 child restraints are critically misused.
Don’t be one of the 4. Our children’s lives are too precious.
-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com
