During summertime, travel safety is extremely important. If you are planning to go on a trip with your family this summer, we want to ensure that you receive these five must-know car seat safety tips for all child passengers.
Did you know? Three out of four car seats are installed incorrectly. This PSA from Toyota takes a humorous look at installing a car seat. View the video below: Buckle Up for Life: It’s Time We All Get It Right
Are you going out for a road trip with your family this summer? You probably think you’re prepared with sunscreen, sunglasses, and a car seat, but is the seat properly installed? The answer is less simple than what you expected. In fact, you may be surprised to learn that a staggering three out of four car seats are installed incorrectly. This is even more alarming because motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death among children. However, a car seat that is properly installed could dramatically reduce injury and prevent death.
That’s why Buckle Up for Life, the national child passenger safety program from Cincinnati
Children’s and Toyota, has released the following must-know tips for keeping child passengers safe as travel season heats up.
Buckle Up for Life’s mission is to educate families about how to properly use car seats and seat belts. The tips they provide are extremely valuable. Buckle Up for Life also offers free car seats to families in need. Over the last ten years, Buckle Up for Life has grown to include a network consisting of 14 of the nation’s leading children’s hospitals and has educated more than 17,000 people. Toyota’s sponsorship has provided funding for over 40,000 car seats for families in need.
Buckle Up for Life Helps Protect Children Riding in Cars This Summer
Below are the five must-know car seat safety tips for all child passengers.
Always use the “Inch Test” and the “Pinch Test”. Pinch the car seat strap near the child’s shoulder; if you can pinch a wrinkle in the fabric, tighten the strap until it is snug. For the “Inch Test,” grab the car seat from the back and bottom and tug from side to side and front to back. If the seat moves more than an inch in either direction, tighten it.
Never add towels or extra layers between the seat and your child. Car seats can get hot in summer weather, and sticky treats like ice cream can cause spills – but don’t be tempted to pile up towels in your child’s seat to keep them cool or tidy. Extra material could interfere with the seat’s ability to restrain the child in the event of a crash, so it is important to only use accessories and products specifically approved for use by the seat’s manufacturer.
Take time to cool off; then buckle up. If the car seat is hot because of high summer temperatures, take some extra time to cool the car down before placing your child in the seat. Open the windows, turn on the air conditioner, and test to ensure plastic or metal buckles are not hot. Once the seat’s temperature has reached a comfortable level, always buckle your child in as usual – even for short trips. Never leave children alone in the car, especially in the summer, when temperatures can escalate dangerously in a matter of minutes.
Don’t rent a car seat. If you are renting a car this summer, use your own car seat. When you rent a seat you don’t know important facts about its history that could affect its ability to protect your child (e.g., expiration date, crash history, etc.) The good news is that most airlines allow you to check your car seat for free.
Secure loose items in the car. Make sure all loose items – particularly summer travel essentials such as beach chairs, coolers, umbrellas and suitcases – are tightly secured in your vehicle. These objects could become projectiles in the event of a crash.
