It’s Child Passenger Safety Week!

Posted September 15, 2023

In health, On The Move, Public Health, Safe Routes, Safe Routes to School, Safety, Street Smart NJ, Technology, Transportation

Child Passenger Safety Week is Sept. 17-23, 2023! This is an excellent time to take a moment to reflect on the safety of our children when they’re in vehicles.

Child passenger safety can be stressful, from bringing home a newborn baby to teaching your teen how to drive. New parents have to worry about the latest car seat recalls, plus the overwhelming amount of information floating around the internet.

So, what are the best practices while driving with your precious cargo? We simplified it all for you so you can focus on what matters.

Here are our top 4 critical points for car seat passenger safety:

Keep your child in a rear-facing seat until they are two or more years old or reach the maximum weight limit for their particular model on the car seat. Remember, as your child grows, you might have to switch from using a small rear-facing-only car seat to a more oversized rear-facing convertible car seat.
Harness straps should lie flat, not twisted, and be placed through the slots at or below your child’s shouldersso that no slack exists between the chest clip and your child’s chest (you should not be able to pinch any excess webbing).
Ensure your child’s head does not flop forward when they sleep. A good rule of thumb is that they’re okay if you can fit one finger between their chin and chest.
Remove bulky winter coats and snowsuits from the child before harnessing them into a car seat. In the event of a crash, the padding inside a coat immediately flattens out from the force, leaving extra space under the harness, which can result in the child being thrown from the seat. For tips on keeping your child warm and safe in a car seat, click here.

If you have any questions about how your car seat should be installed or want to ensure your child is safe, you can find a free virtual or in-person inspection from a certified technician in your area! Click here to see a technician near you.

As a child grows, the safety requirements change, too. Many kids between 8-12 might still require a booster seat. It is essential to pay attention to the size limits displayed on their booster seat. Many parents question when their child is big enough for an adult seat belt. An adequately fitted adult seat belt has a few requirements:

The shoulder belt must lie snugly across the shoulder and chest, not crossing the neck or face
The lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thigh, not the stomach
Never let a child (or adult) put the shoulder belt under an arm or behind the back because it could cause severe injuries in a crash.

Every state might vary in safety requirements. Be sure you are up to date with child passenger safety in New Jersey by clicking here.

Parents always remember to lead by example, not drive distracted, and wear a seat belt. During Child Passenger Safety Week and always, safe travels from the Greater Mercer TMA team!