SAFETY TIP PSA #26 – February 2001

To improve public awareness about EMS and what to do in the event of an emergency, Bensalem EMS will provide monthly updates to this section of our Web Site. We hope that the information found here, will be both informative and useful to our neighbors.

Bensalem EMS will attempt to cover a wide variety of useful topics. We will try to appeal to industry as well as the residents in our community. Please check our web site each month for more information.

If there is a specific topic you would like to see in our Safety Tip of the month, please E-mail your suggestion to us at webmaster@bensalemrescue.org . We will try to use your suggestions.

BABY…BE SAFE!

February is Child Passenger Safety Month

To help increase the awareness of child passenger safety, we have highlighted information to help you protect your child, when he or she is a passenger in a motor vehicle. This information, provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), targets tips about traffic safety, child car safety seats, use of seat belts, and the use of booster seats.

Did You Know…

That traffic crashes are the number one cause of death and injury for children after the first year of life. Six out of ten children killed in crashes are completely unrestrained.

Did You Know…

That ninety-six percent of parents believe their children are properly buckled in their child safety seats. However, data from actual inspections show that at least four out five children riding in child safety seats improperly restrained.

Did You Know…

That motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. Many of these deaths and injuries could have been prevented if the victims had been properly restrained in safety belts, child safety seats and boosters.

Did You Know…

That at least 80% children in car safety seats are improperly restrained? To protect your child, follow these recommended steps.

STEP #1

USE REAR-FACING CHILD SEATS for children from birth to at least 20 pounds and at least one year of age.

ü The harness straps should be at or below shoulder level. For babies under one year and over 20lbs., use a safety seat approved for heavier babies and continue to ride rear-facing until at least one year of age.

STEP #2

USE FORWARD-FACING CHILD SEATS for children over 20 pounds and at least one year old to about 40 pounds and about age four.

ü The harness straps should be at or above shoulder level. Most convertible, forward-facing seats require use of the top slot for forward-facing seats.

STEP #3

USE BELT-POSITIONING BOOSTER SEATS for children from about 40 pounds to about 80 pounds and 4’9”.

ü Belt positioning booster seats must be used with both lap and shoulder belts. Never use a booster seat with a lap belt only. Make sure the lap belt fits low and tight to avoid abdominal injuries.

STEP #4

USE SEATS BELTS! Seat belts for older children should be large enough for the belt to fit correctly: at least 4’9”.

ü If a child can sit their back straight against the vehicle seat back cushion, with their knees bent over the vehicle’s seat edge without slouching, they can be moved out of the booster seat into the regular back seat.

IMPORTANT SAFETY TIPS TO REMEMBER!!!

1. Never place your child in the front seat of a vehicle equipped with an air bag. All children 12 and under should sit properly restrained in the back seat.

2. Never use old, or re-used child car safety seats. An older seat may have passed the manufacturers expiration date. An appropriate age of a car safety seat should be six years or less. A re-used seat must have all pieces (including the instruction manual), and you must be certain that it has not been involved in a crash.

3. Always carefully read both the vehicle owner’s manual and the instructions that come with the child safety seat.

4. Have your child safety car seat inspected and/or installed by a certified child safety seat technician.

BENSALEM EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE CAN PROVIDE THIS SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS!

**We have certified child safety seat technicians and provide car seat installations by appointments every Tuesday and Thursday, here at the Rescue Squad. To schedule an appointment, please call (215) 245-4300.**

(For additional inspection site locations, visit www.nhtsa.dot.gov and click on “Child Safety Seat Inspections”,

or call 1-888-DASH-2-DOT.)