I thought I should post a local news report that aired tonight just in case it might help someone here. I found out that my 9 year old should still be in a booster since he is 6 inches shorter than what is recommended for riding without one! I'm going to get him one tomorrow.
CHILDREN's SAFETY in CARS
12/30/03
If you're coming up with your New Year's resolutions for 2004 - how about one that could save your child's life? A car seat inspection saved the lives of two boys who were in the back of a mini van when a truck hit it.
Christine Guarino/PARENT:"Once the seats were in we drove off feeling very safe and the following afternoon we were hit by a Mack truck on the way to Grandma's house"
If the seats hadn't been properly installed?
Christine Guarino/PARENT: "I Don't believe they would have survived that crash."
We often think of babies and toddlers when it comes to child seat safety - but here's a major problem for kids ages four to eight. 85 percent of them who should be in boosters seats - aren't... and that can be catastrophic in a crash.
Dr. Jeff Runge/TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION: "Motor vehicle crash is the leading cause of death for children in America."
The booster seat lifts the child up to ensure the lap and shoulder belts fit properly. The child wearing a lap belt jackknifes wildly sitting as many kids do with just a lap belt across the abdomen.
Dr. Dennis Durbin/CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL: "One of the worst things I ever have to do as an emergency physician is go into a room and tell a parent that their child has either died or suffered a catastrophic injury in an automobile crash and I know that the injury was preventable.
A study by the Children's Hospital of Philadephia found the risk of injury drops nearly 60 percent when a child is in a booster.
Dr. Dennis Durbin/CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL: "Injuries to the spine and to the abdomen which are injuries we know are related to improperly fitting seat belts were virtually eliminated by the use of belt positioning boosters."
Kids up to 12-years-old should be in the back seat babies up to one-years-old and at least 20 pounds should be in an infant seat facing toward the rear. Ages one to four and 20 to 40 pounds should be in a forward-facing child safety seat. Children ages four to eight and around 50 to 80 pounds should be in a child booster seat, and they should stay in the booster until they are at least four feet nine inches tall.
Dr. Jeff Runge/TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION: "One of the most common errors we see if that parents graduate their child to the next level too soon."
The local hospital study provides the first real world data that booster seats dramatically improve child passenger safety, but the only proof this mother needs is playing in the backyard.
NYDIA HAN, CHANNEL 6, ACTION NEWS.
CHILDREN's SAFETY in CARS
12/30/03
If you're coming up with your New Year's resolutions for 2004 - how about one that could save your child's life? A car seat inspection saved the lives of two boys who were in the back of a mini van when a truck hit it.
Christine Guarino/PARENT:"Once the seats were in we drove off feeling very safe and the following afternoon we were hit by a Mack truck on the way to Grandma's house"
If the seats hadn't been properly installed?
Christine Guarino/PARENT: "I Don't believe they would have survived that crash."
We often think of babies and toddlers when it comes to child seat safety - but here's a major problem for kids ages four to eight. 85 percent of them who should be in boosters seats - aren't... and that can be catastrophic in a crash.
Dr. Jeff Runge/TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION: "Motor vehicle crash is the leading cause of death for children in America."
The booster seat lifts the child up to ensure the lap and shoulder belts fit properly. The child wearing a lap belt jackknifes wildly sitting as many kids do with just a lap belt across the abdomen.
Dr. Dennis Durbin/CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL: "One of the worst things I ever have to do as an emergency physician is go into a room and tell a parent that their child has either died or suffered a catastrophic injury in an automobile crash and I know that the injury was preventable.
A study by the Children's Hospital of Philadephia found the risk of injury drops nearly 60 percent when a child is in a booster.
Dr. Dennis Durbin/CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL: "Injuries to the spine and to the abdomen which are injuries we know are related to improperly fitting seat belts were virtually eliminated by the use of belt positioning boosters."
Kids up to 12-years-old should be in the back seat babies up to one-years-old and at least 20 pounds should be in an infant seat facing toward the rear. Ages one to four and 20 to 40 pounds should be in a forward-facing child safety seat. Children ages four to eight and around 50 to 80 pounds should be in a child booster seat, and they should stay in the booster until they are at least four feet nine inches tall.
Dr. Jeff Runge/TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION: "One of the most common errors we see if that parents graduate their child to the next level too soon."
The local hospital study provides the first real world data that booster seats dramatically improve child passenger safety, but the only proof this mother needs is playing in the backyard.
NYDIA HAN, CHANNEL 6, ACTION NEWS.
On a few occasions, I have told these friends that kids aren't safe in cars until they are 80 pounds and 4 ft. 8 in. I am waiting for some mom to call me to complain that I have scared her child that doesn't normally ride in a booster seat 
(unless they are in my car, of course 
).
