Western Health Reminds Parents to Consider Child Passenger Safety - May 31, 2011

Injuries related to motor vehicle collisions are the number one killer of Canadian children, according to 2006 statistics from Transport Canada. However, if kids were properly restrained in appropriate car seats, the number child deaths could be dramatically reduced. Each year, Johnson & Johnson and Safe Kids Canada join forces to run a national campaign in order raise awareness about a specific type of injury. This year, Safe Kids Week, May 30 to June 5, will focus on Child Passenger Safety.  

For Immediate Release                                               

(Corner Brook, NL: May 31st, 2011) Injuries related to motor vehicle collisions are the number one killer of Canadian children, according to 2006 statistics from Transport Canada. However, if kids were properly restrained in appropriate car seats, the number child deaths could be dramatically reduced. Each year, Johnson & Johnson and Safe Kids Canada join forces to run a national campaign in order raise awareness about a specific type of injury. This year, Safe Kids Week, May 30 to June 5, will focus on Child Passenger Safety.  

Many parents do not know the importance of child passenger restraints. Studies show that car seats can reduce injury by up to 71% by ensuring that the forces of a crash are absorbed by the strongest parts of the child’s body. When children are not restrained properly, they are at risk for not only head injury, but severe damage can occur to the spine and inner organs as well.

The purchasing of a car seat is not something that should be taken lightly. Much thought and consideration needs to be given to not only personal preference but also vehicle type and model. Parents need to thoroughly read their vehicle owner’s manual as well as the car seat instruction manual before beginning any kind of car seat installation process. 

Education and enforcement can help reduce child passenger injuries by increasing the proper use of child restraint systems. Parents, family members and caregivers must know how to choose the right car seat and ensure that every child is properly secured each and every time they turn the key.

Recently, Western Health has also put a new practise in place on the Maternal Newborn Unit at Western Memorial Regional Hospital.  Nurses on the unit work with new moms and dads to educate and support them on infant car seat safety as they prepare to leave the hospital with their new baby.    Car seat safety for all children has been enhanced as a topic of discussion at all pre natal classes provided by Community Health Nurses. 

If you would like some more information or some assistance in installing your car seat, you may contact your local Community Health Office for a Certified Child Restraint Systems Technician near you.

 For more information on child passenger safety, or other child related injuries, visit:

www.safekidscanada.ca

www.kidsinsafeseats.ca

www.cps.ca

www.tc.gc.ca

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Media Contact:
Heidi Staeben-Simmons
Director of Communications
Western Health
709-637-5252
heidistaebensimmons@westernhealth.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER: Car Seats for Different Age Groups

• Infants must ride in a rear facing car seat until they weigh 22 lbs (10 kg) and be able to walk unassisted, usually around one year of age. 
• A child should stay in a forward facing car seat until they are 40 lbs (18 kg), unless their car seat has different specifications.
• Children should continue to use a booster seat until they are eight years of age, 80 lbs, (36 kg) and 4 feet 9 inches (145cm) tall. All three criteria must be met before a child can be transported in a motor vehicle using the vehicle’s seat belt.
• Children should ride properly restrained in the back seat of a vehicle until they are 12 years old. Riding in the middle of the back seat significantly reduces injuries and death should a serious crash occur.