Safer Child Products

December 27, 2010

Look outside your window and it looks like a Winter Wonderland.  Walk outside and the wind chaps your cheeks, freezes your ears and yet the children want to stay out and play! I remember my mother smearing Vaseline on our cheeks when we were little, before going outside in this weather.

I worry about my kids being out too long, and I worry about them choosing a safe place to sled.  Are they old enough to play outside by themselves if I can eyeball them from my window? They like to sled down a neighbor’s hill on a cul de sac, yet it is still on a street.  When we have enough snow, they build a snow bank to land in.  Is this any safer?  Is it less safe?

I decided to look up some sledding tips from the experts and was enlightened by what I read. Allow me to highlight a few of the suggestions for you.

1.   Never sled down a hill head first. (This makes a lot sense, especially if the sledders are not wearing helmets).

2.   Only allow 1 person per sled at a time, except under 5 y/o who should sled with an adult.

3.   Avoid scarves and drawstrings which could get caught and cause strangulation.

4.   Do not substitute inner tubes, trays, trash can lids for a sled.

5.   Clothes should be layered and stay dry (change clothes when they get too wet).

For the complete list and answers to my questions (and hopefully yours) visit: http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/info/safety/outdoor/sledding.htm 

Safer Child Products

December 20, 2010

As parents, we are always looking for the best new toy, the new product that will make our kids happier and smarter. What we need to be aware of is the many small pieces that accompany or make up many toys and games.  Sometimes we do not realize it, or sometimes with our 2^nd or 3^rd child we tend to overlook it as the older children have complex toys with smaller pieces.

This holiday season let’s keep all our kids safer.  A good rule of thumb is that no piece should be able to fit through the hole in the cardboard toilet paper roll. If it does, it can pose a choking hazard for babies and toddlers.

In the American Academy of Pediatrics news, December 2010 issue, Tricia Korioth states that “For children under age 3, choose toys that are at least 1 ¼ inches in diameter and 2 ½ inches long, so they will not lodge in a child’s mouth or throat.”

For more safety tips on choosing toys for young children, see the full article at http://aapnews.aappublications.org/cgi/content/short/31/12/31-b

Safer Child Products

December 13, 2010

With the holiday season fast approaching, and decorations swiftly being hung, I want to address possible dangers with common plants of the season. When hanging or sitting plants out, be aware of young, curious children who may get their hands on a leaf or a berry and put it in his/her mouth.  Watch children and remove any debris or fallen berries.

Mistletoe Berries, Holly, Poinsettia Leaves can all be harmful or toxic.

For detailed information about these and other poisonous holiday plants, go to http://chemistry.about.com/od/toxicchemicals/tp/poisonous-holiday-plants.htm

If you are concerned that your child may have ingested a part of a harmful plant, call the National Poison Control Center at 1-800 222-1222.

Safer Child Products

Some cars have as many as 11 airbags. Some airbags are not safe next to a child car seat.  Check your vehicle owners’ manual to be sure that you know all the locations of the airbags in your car and if you have side curtain or safety canopy airbags, versus side impact airbags.  Head/chest /torso side impact airbags may be more dangerous to a child passenger due to their size and the force of a deploying airbag. Look also for recommendations on best placement of a child car seat depending on the type of airbag system you have in the rear of the car.

Safer Child Products

Should Delaware’s Child Restraint Laws be updated?  You’ve read our November 15^th blog about the laws in our surrounding states.  We are thinking of working with our local legislators when they are back in session in January.  We want to increase awareness that children up to 4’9” are safer when not using a seat belt alone. Tell us what you think.

Safer Child Products

There has been much debate over what to do with the handle on the infant carrier when you put the carrier in the car.  Like many things, the recommendations have changed over time.

Many infant carriers have more handle positions than just all the way up or all the way down/back.  Why are there other positions?  One position may be used to stabilize the carrier when sitting on the floor, however many companies today are reinforcing the handle and recommending that it stays up in the car. 

If you read the owner's manual that came with your carrier, it will tell you what the different positions are, and what they are approved for. 

Babycenter.com has some seat-specific information.
http://community.babycenter.com/post/a12911105/infant_carrier_handle_-_up_or_down 

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Do you know what the child restraint laws are in your state?  Every state has slightly different laws and the laws do not necessarily reflect "best practice".

In the state of Delaware, children are required to be in a child car seat or booster seat up to age 8 or 65 lbs, whichever comes first, whereas in our neighboring state of Maryland the law says All children under age 8 or 4'9"  must be in a "child restraint" unless they are 65lbs or more. 

New Jersey Law requires "Children under 8 years of age who weigh less than 80 pounds to ride properly secured in a child safety seat or booster seat in the rear seat of the vehicle."

What these laws don't tell you is that the vehicle seat belt may not properly fit until a child is 4'9".  Even so, most belt positioning booster seats are rated to 80 or 100 pounds.  A belt positioning booster seat must only be used with the Lap/Shoulder belt combination, never with a lap belt alone.

The back seat is the safest place to sit, until at least age 13, because a child's body is not strong enough to withstand the impact of an airbag in a crash.  If you have no other option but the front seat be sure to turn off the passenger airbag. 

 http://www.safekids.org/safety-basics/big-kids/on-the-way/booster-seat-and-seat-belts.html

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“Can I use a hand me down car seat?” If you have all the parts and know the collision history, from a reliable source, and the seat is not yet expired then it is ok to use a hand me down or older seat.  Do not buy a seat from an unknown or unreliable source.

“If I have never been in a collision with my child car seat, do I still need to get rid of it after 6 years?”  The answer is yes. In fact, you should do an overall evaluation every once in a while, just to make sure there are no obvious cracks or discoloration in the car seat “shell” or frayed straps. Be sure to fill out and send back the registration card that came with your child's car seat or booster seat.  This way you will be notified in the event of a recall.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends replacing your child car seat after a Moderate or Severe Crash. Follow this link for manufacturer specific recommendations.

http://community.babycenter.com/post/a21266839/do_i_need_to_replace_my_seat_after_a_crash

Safer Child Products

November 1, 2010 Draft

Did you know that Child Car Seats have Expiration dates?  The life span for a child Car Seat is about 6 years from the date of Manufacture, not the date you take it out of the box! I’ve heard more, I’ve heard less.

“Why do they expire?” you ask. I used to wonder the same thing.

After a number of years, technology changes and improves, so we as consumers are encouraged to get newer seats with newer technology, because presumably the newer technology is safer. This is not the only reason though.  The strain and stress on the plastic “shell” can start to wear on the seat over time.  The extreme temperatures that we find in the car can weaken and ultimately crack the plastic, and the Styrofoam “padding” can start to disintegrate.   

“So where can I find the expiration date?”  The expiration date for your Child Car seat should be found in one of several places.  Your best bet is always to check the owner’s manual that came with your child car seat.  The other places you can check is: (1) The sticker on the side of your Child Car Seat or (2) Embedded in the hard plastic on the back of the child car seat. It should say “DO NOT USE THIS CHILD RESTRAINT AFTER….” It will list a month and a year.  If you cannot find it in either of these places, call the manufacturer to find out.

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All vehicles and Child Car Seats made after 2002 are required to be equipped with the LATCH system, (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children).  To locate the LATCH anchors between the vehicle seat back and bottom, look for a small circle with a diagram of a child in a seat.   There should be a diagram just above each LATCH anchor point.  If you are still unsure, check your vehicle’s owners manual. 

When you secure the LATCH clips, make sure that the opening or jaw of the clip is facing downward.  If the strap attached to the LATCH clips routes through the child car seat, be sure that the belt is in the correct path for the direction of your seat.  The seatbelt, or LATCH belt, should always use the path that is closest to the vehicle’s seat back. Many seats will have a label where to route the belt rear facing and where to route it forward facing.  

Even though the Child Car Seat may have a weight limit of 55, 65 or even 80 lbs, the LATCH anchors have a weight limit as well and may only be rated to 40 or 48 lbs.  Check your vehicle owner’s manual.  If this is the case, you will need to switch from the LATCH system to securing the Child Car Seat with the vehicle seatbelt instead.

http://www.macombcountymi.gov/publichealth/HPDC/PDF/LATCH%20and%20tether%20fact%20sheet.pdf

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Once you turn the child car seat forward facing, it is very important to secure the top of the seat with the tether strap. This needs to be used whether you are using a seatbelt or latch clips to install the child car seat because the tether reduces the forward movement and rotation of the child car seat in a crash.  If you are unsure of where the top tether strap anchors to, check your vehicle owner’s manual.  Some vehicles have the tether anchor on the bottom of the back of the same seat, some vehicles have it on the rear dash and I’ve seen other places too!   The vehicle owner’s manual will also inform you how to route the tether strap in relation to the head rest.

Safer Child Products

Having been through several child car seats with my own children, attending many child car seat inspections and now as a certified child passenger safety technician, I am well versed in child passenger safety. Why is it so complicated?  By putting in the time, I am able to gather information and pass it along to you.

Children whose car seats are rear facing are 5x safer in a crash than forward facing. Therefore, it is best to keep your child rear facing as long as you can, even after age 2. Check the weight and height limits of the Child Car Seat. It is ok if their legs are up against the rear seat of the car. The Child Car Seat will absorb most of the force of a crash, but a broken leg is better than a broken neck.  http://www.research.chop.edu/programs/carseat/toddler.php

Safer Child Products

Everyone knows that infants and young children need to ride in Child Car Seats.  What is not as clear is the need for Booster Seats or how long a child needs to be in one. A child needs to be in a Belt Positioning Booster (BPB) Seat from the time they outgrow their forward facing child car seat, until they are 4’9” tall, 80-100 pounds. They should be able to pass The Safety Belt Fit Test.  Did I just say 4’9”?  Yes I did.  Did I forget to mention the age limit?  No, I chose not to, because it is not about their age, it is about how the adult seat belt fits them. 

Whether in a BPB seat, or not, the seat belt needs to cross between the shoulder and the neck and the lap belt needs to sit across the hard hip bones or upper thighs, NOT on the soft tummy.  If a seat belt does not fit properly, a child is likely to sustain life-threatening injuries in a crash.  The shoulder belt will not hold them back into the seat and as the child folds in half, they can damage their spine, and the lap belt can cause a number of injuries to the internal organs as well.  For more information on Seat Belts  and on the Safety Belt Fit Test go to http://www.safekids.org/safety-basics/big-kids/on-the-way/booster-seat-and-seat-belts.html

Safer Child Products

If you are a parent or a caregiver who routinely transports young children, then you know how difficult it is to get the child car seats installed properly.  Be sure that the child car seat is so tight that you cannot push or pull it more than 1 inch in any direction when you grab the child car seat at the rear where the seat belt goes.

Our children all get to the age where they want to buckle their chest clip themselves.  It’s wonderful that they feel they can participate! Make sure the chest clip is secured at armpit height. Be sure to check that the straps are tight enough that you cannot pinch a fold in the straps.

www.safekids.org/safety-basics/babies/on-the-way/carseat-safety-for-babies.html

Safer Child Products

Did you know that the experts now recommend that children remain in a 5 point harness in a child car seat for as long as possible, to the maximum height and weight of the child car seat? This means that many children will be in a child car seat and not a booster seat at least past age 4.  Many children will start booster seats later. For more information, see http://www.research.chop.edu/programs/carseat/toddler.php

Safer Child Products

When was the last time you washed your child’s car seat cover? We wash our hands regularly. We wash our clothes after wearing them. Does your child spit up, vomit, spill or have leaky diapers while traveling? Then why don’t you wash your child’s car seat cover more often? There have been times it would have been much easier for us to toss out the entire child car seat than try to clean it’s cover. I am sure most of you can relate to this frustration. My wife and I decided to take some action. We designed, patented and produced a secure and fast, easily removable (S.A.F.E.R) child car seat cover that is needed for those child car seat covers that are difficult to clean. It comes off and goes in the washing machine without taking out the entire child car seat from its secure position or taking apart the child car seat.


Our website at http://www.saferchildproducts.com/  will hopefully help you with practical tips to keep your children safer.

Safer Child Products

Hi. We are Allen Friedland M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.A.P. and Stacey Friedland M.S.S.W.. Welcome to our new blog about child safety. We have always been shocked by how little information there is about individual child products and safety. As a parent and as a pediatrician, I have been struck by how difficult it was for me to choose amongst the choices of car seats, strollers, cribs, baby gates, helmets etc. for our children in order to keep them safe. There are few resources for me to help guide parents and caregivers with these important safety decisions. This blog is our way to help you with some common issues related to child safety and child products. We hope you enjoy and keep coming back for more safety tips. For more information about our product, visit our website at  http://www.saferchildproducts.com/