Child Passenger Safety Week 2014

So much is happening in the car seat/child passenger safety world in the next couple weeks.  Did you know that the iconic Baby on Board sign is celebrating its 30^th anniversary?  I just found this out and it amazes me just how far we’ve come in child car restraint safety in this period of time.

We all remember the car seats we had as children, or we’ve heard stories about them, or we didn’t even have any at all.  I, for one, am thankful just how far everything has progressed in the past 30 years.  Safety 1^st are also excited to continue to bring you their full product line that supports a new generation of parents by offering thousands of items including car seats, strollers, and baby-proofing equipment.  Though the products have continued to evolve, the spirit of the Baby on Board sign is still evident in every Safety 1^st item on shelves. Safety 1^st provides parents with creative solutions for everyday life by helping to prepare them for the exciting road ahead.

To celebrate the 30^th anniversary, beginning in 2015 Safety 1^st will be including 1 million “Where’s Baby?” window clings along with all Baby on Board signs as they continue to support the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) “Where’s Baby? Look Before You Lock” safety campaign to prevent accidental heat stroke incidents of children left unattended in cars.

When combined, these two little signs become a simple, smart solution with a big impact — giving parents peace of mind that children are safe, no matter where the road takes them.

IN HONOR OF OUR 30^TH ANNIVERSARY, SAFETY 1ST  IS ASKING YOU TO HELP US REACH 30,000 DIAMOND PROMISES FOR CHILD SAFETY. TO CELEBRATE THIS MILESTONE THEY WILL BE SURPRISING ONE FAN WITH A PAIR OF DIAMOND EARRINGS!!

Since we had Gradie I realized that there is so much you really should know, in order to keep your little ones as safe as possible.  I am fortunate that Jeanna shares my passion for car seat/child restraint safety.  We have to, did you know that car crashes are a leading cause of death for children 1 to 13 years old, and often times deaths and injuries can be prevented by proper use of child restraints and seat belts. While we cannot wrap Gradie up in bubble wrap, although we’d like to, we are determined to make sure she is kept as safe as possible while we are still able to directly impact her quality of life.  As we get ready to celebrate Child Passenger Safety Week from September 14 through 20, with Saturday the 20^th being National Seat Check Saturday, I wanted to share some tips with you that Safety 1^st recommends, and we strictly follow in our vehicles.

Importance of Rear Facing

In March of 2011 the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated their car seat recommendations advising that children should remain rear facing until the age of two.  According to a study in the Journal of Injury Prevention children under the age of two are 75% less likely to die or be severely injured in the event of a car crash if they are rear facing. When a child is rear facing their head, neck and spine are better supported and in the event of an accident, crash forces are distributed over the child’s entire body.

Location

Typically the center rear seat is the safest place for a car seat, and never install a car seat in the front seat.  If your car does not have a latch connector for the middle seat, you can use the middle seat belt to properly secure the base.  When installing, make sure the base of the car seat moves no more than an inch from side to side.

Car Seat Expiration

Car seats do have an expiration date, it is recommended that car seats be replaced every 5-8 years, or immediately after a crash.  The reason for an expiration date is because plastic can warp and materials can fray, which can make car seats not as effective in the event of a crash.  Additionally car seat technology and state and federal car seat regulations change over time.  Important warning labels may wear out and instruction books may get lost, which can lead to improper use of the car seat.

Safeguard the Car

Childproof the inside of the car and eliminate projectiles.  Anything in the car that is not secured is a possible projectile – even a child’s toy, or a water bottle. In a crash, objects take on greater weight due to crash forces.

Now that we’ve covered these important safety tips, I hope that you will take advantage of National Seat Check Saturday, this Saturday, September 20th, you can click here to find a car seat check near your house.

If you find that you require a new seat after having yours checked, or if it’s time as your little one is growing and transitioning from one chair to another, I highly recommend you check out the Safety 1^st line of Child Safety Seats, you will find their products range from infant size through 120 lbs.

• onBoard 35 Air +Infant Car Seat

Air Protect + combines the advanced protection of the Air Protect® cushion system with patented GCell HX™ foam designed with hexagonal shapes for superior protection around the torso. TOGETHER they provide full body side impact protection.

• Advanced SE 65 Air +Convertible Car Seat

For children from 5-65 pounds. In addition to Air Protect +, the Advance 65 Air + uses a steel-reinforced metal frame for extra stability and includes a 4-position recline for an optimal fit to your vehicle. We’ve also included color-coded belt paths and installation labels to help you install it quickly and correctly.

• Summit® Booster Car Seat

Forward-facing: 22-40 pounds with Belt-positioning at 40-100 pound.  Fully loaded with ease-of-use features that parents will appreciate: Like the 4-position QuickFit™ headrest which adjusts without the need for rethreading and a 5-point safety harness with Center Front Adjust.

• Incognito Kid Positioning Seat

A new category for car seats. The goal for Safety 1^st is to help educate parents that any child under 4’9” (57”) in height should still be in a belt positioning seat. The Incognito blends into the car and prevents slouching to ensure comfortable and proper positioning of the seat belt.  The introduction of this seat has helped to extending child restraints to accommodate children 60 to 120 lbs. and up to 60 inches.

Now I am excited to bring you a fun giveaway to celebrate Safety 1st’s 30th anniversary of the Baby on Board sign and Child Passenger Safety Week.  FIVE lucky winners will each receive a Baby on Board sign from Safety 1st, all you have to do is complete the rafflecopter entry form below.

Open to US, 18+ entrants only.  Giveaway ends 9/20 at 11:59pm EST.

Spread the word –  let’s keep our children SAFE!!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I am not associated with any of the companies named above. No purchase is necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received Open to the Continental USA, 18+ only. Confirmed Winner(s) (by Random.org) will be contacted by email. Winner(s) have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of this giveaway. My blog is not responsible for product shipment/delivery. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest, Instagram or Klout. This disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements. Entrants must only enter with either one email address, IP address and/or Facebook account, anyone found violating these rules will be disqualified. It is at the sole discretion of the admin of the giveaway if the winner has met the rules or not.