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Keep children safe with <br>vehicle restraints, seatbelts

Every child is a precious gift. It is tragic for a child to be injured or killed in a motor vehicle crash.

But the fact still remains: Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death and injury to young children. If children are not properly restrained while traveling in a motor vehicle, they do not have a fair chance if the vehicle swerves sharply, makes a sudden stop, or is in a collision.

A study conducted by Partners for Child Passenger Safety found that “fully 83 percent of children ages four through eight are restrained in adult seat belts — an incorrect and dangerous practice. While seat belts are safer than no restraint at all, most children will not fit in them properly, putting them at risk for intestinal, liver, spleen and spinal cord injury in the crash.”

When transporting a child in a motor vehicle, the law requires that you must properly use a child restraint system conforming to applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards. It could mean your child’s life. The Williams Police Department will be commencing enforcement of the use of child seat restraints.

Choosing the right restraint:

• Rear-Facing Only Infant Restraints: Five to 20 pounds. They must always be used so that the child faces the rear of the vehicle, and should never be placed in a front seating position with an active air bag.

• Convertible Child Restraints: Five to 40 pounds. Many convertible child restraints are specially designed to comfortably accommodate infants and toddlers.

If the top of the child restraint back is below the top of the toddler’s ears or the toddler weights more than the 40 pounds, it is time to move the toddler into a booster seat.

• Booster Child Restraints: 30 to 80 pounds. Make sure the lap belt is placed low across your child’s hips. The lap belt should never rest on the child’s abdomen, as this can cause severe or even fatal injuries in a crash. Place the shoulder belt in the front of the child, so that it rests comfortably on the child’s collarbone.

Some vehicles have rear comfort guides (an adjuster that permits the height of the shoulder belt to be changed). These features can provide added seat belt comfort for children who have outgrown their booster seats. The safest place in the car for children 12 and under is the back seat.

Remember people of all ages must wear their seat belts every time they ride in a vehicle.

Set a good example yourself and wear your seat belt.

Buckle up, it’s the law. And it saves lives ,guaranteed.

Should you have further questions call me at 635-4461. I can check the installation of your child’s car seat.


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