1 Hour Cps Training

The Basics of Child Passenger Safety Presented by the Monroe County Office of Traffic Safety Deb DeCaire Jean Triest

INJURY FACTS Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for every age from 3 to 33. 2004 Children 14 years old and under •1638 vehicle occupant fatalities •214,000 vehicle occupant injuries •An average of 5 children were killed in vehicle crashes daily •586 were injured daily Children 13-15 years old •648 passenger vehicle occupant fatalities •438 (68%) were unrestrained (for which restraint use was known) •This was the highest for any age group

Child Restraint Effectiveness • 71% effective in reducing deaths for infants • 54% for 1 to 4 year olds • Reduces the need for hospitalization by 69%

NEW YORK STATE RESTRAINT LAW • All front seat occupants must use a seatbelt • All back seat occupants under the age of 16 must use a seatbelt • All children under the age of 7 must use an appropriate child restraint system (car seat or booster seat)

BEST PRACTICE FOR RESTRAINT USE • All occupants restrained no matter their age or location in the car • Rear facing child restraint – minimum standard is 1 year old AND 20 pounds • Forward facing restraint with an internal harness – up to the seat’s weight limit (usually 40 pounds) • Booster seat – up to the weight or height limit is exceeded (usually 80-100 pounds or over 4ft. 9 in.) • Vehicle seat belt when the 5 step test is met

Belted Back Seat Adult Passenger

Unbelted Back Seat Child Passenger

Unbelted Back Seat Adult Passenger

Unbelted Back Seat Adult Passenger

Rear-Facing Birth to at least one year and at least 20 pounds

ForwardFacing Age one to about four and 20 to 40 pounds

Booster Seats About age four to at least age eight and under 4 feet 9

Seat Belts When they can pass the 5-Step test

STEP 1: REAR FACING Infant Only Seats •Vary by manufacturer but typically have a weight limit of 2022 pounds Convertible Seats •Rear facing weight limits vary by manufacturer. •Many now have a rear facing limit of 35 pounds Correct Use •The seat chosen is correct for the child’s weight •There is at least one inch of the seat shell above the child’s head •If using a convertible seat it must be in the reclined position •The seat must be reclined at a 30-45 degree angle •A rear facing seat must never be placed in front of an air bag

Rear-Facing Back Angle • Back is primary restraint • Balance with comfort and keeping airway open • Range - 30o to 45o according to manufacturer’s instructions • Newborns more reclined • More upright as child grows • Car bed option for special needs Courtesy of Kathleen Weber Child Passenger Protection Research Program University of Michigan Medical School

Securing Child In Rear Facing Seats • Back & bottom flat into CRS • Rolled cloth at crotch strap if necessary • Blankets at sides for positioning • Harness at or below shoulders • Harness snug • Retainer clip at armpit level

STEP 2: FORWARD FACING (with internal harness)

•These seats typically have a weight limit of 40 pounds (there are a few higher priced seats with harnessed weight limits of 50 and 65 pounds) •These seats can be either convertible or forward facing only seats Correct Use •A convertible seat must be in the upright position •The mid point of the child’s ears must be below the top of the seat •Harness straps must be at or above the child’s shoulders in the reinforced slots (read the child safety seat instruction booklet to determine which slots are reinforced)

Securing Child In Forward Facing Convertibles • Avoid bulky clothing • Back and bottom flat into CRS • Proper harness slots • Harness snug • Retainer clip at armpit level

STEP 3: Booster Seats •For children from 40 pounds to 80 -100 pounds •Can be either a backless or a high back booster (the type you use depends on your vehicle seat’s head restraint) •Must use a lap and shoulder belt

Seat Belt Syndrome • Spinal cord or soft tissue damage due to – Improper placement of lap belt over the abdomen – Lap belt that rides up onto abdomen

Securing Child In BPBs • Requires lap & shoulder belt • BPB fits flat on vehicle seat between safety belt anchors • Lap belt positioned low across top of thighs and shoulder belt across chest • Child’s knees bend comfortably • Child has appropriate head restraint

STEP 4: Vehicle Seat Belts You can use a seat belt once you meet all 5 points in the 5-Step test THE 5-STEP TEST • •

Does the child sit all the way back against the vehicle seat? Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the vehicle seat? • Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm? • Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs? • Can the child stay seated like this for the entire trip?

If you answer “no” to any of these questions, the child needs a booster seat to make both the shoulder and lap belt fit right for the best crash protection

Children with Disabilities and Special Needs • Main classifications: – Respiratory Conditions – Low Birth Weight – Orthopedic Conditions – Neuromuscular Conditions – Behavioral Conditions

Securing Child In Car Bed • For small, premature, or medically fragile who should ride flat • Infant lies prone/supine • Head placed toward the center of the vehicle

Children with Disabilities & Special Needs Orthopedic Conditions • Seat for Hip Spica Cast • E-Z-On Modified Vest for full body cast

Children with Disabilities & Special Needs Neuromuscular Conditions • Provides additional upper body restraint and positioning for higher weights

General Methods to Obtain a Tight Installation • CRS facing proper direction • Correct belt path • Compress vehicle seat cushion • Buckle, tighten, lock the safety belt • No more than 1” of movement at the belt path

Installing the Flexible LATCH System CRS • Locate the lower anchor in the vehicle seat • Position CRS in appropriate direction for size and age of child • Lock snap hooks or other attachments to lower anchors • Put weight on CRS and tighten webbing and check for tightness • Attach tether strap (if applicable)

Function, Installation, and Use of Tether Straps • Tether strap can improve performance of CRS when its use is recommended by the mfg. • Reduces the forward movement and rotation of the seat • Adds additional stability to CRS installation