"Where Fillmore County News Comes First"
Online Edition
Wednesday, June 19th, 2013
Volume ∞ Issue ∞
- 8:58:04, Jun 18th 2013 - cabraden1 - I salute you Colonel Overland. Your were my c.o. at Rockville Naval Air ... [Read More]
- 7:10:46, Jun 13th 2013 - chipperlee - Seems to be a well written article, except maybe Silica Sand is used in ... [Read More]
- 12:02:15, Jun 9th 2013 - getthefacts - The problem here lies in the fact that girls were repeatedly told "if y ... [Read More]
- 10:45:32, Jun 7th 2013 - Jo mom for 6yrs - Mr. Ehler hit the nail on the head. I agree with the religious con ... [Read More]
- 2:47:58, Jun 7th 2013 - hello - Hello, it's time you wake up. There isn't a community nearby that doesn't offe ... [Read More]
- 9:06:21, Jun 6th 2013 - hello - Hello, it's time you wake up. There isn't a community nearby that doesn't offe ... [Read More]
- 2:05:29, Jun 6th 2013 - Kim Wentworth - The number one rule in a debate: 1) if the person from the opposite si ... [Read More]
- 12:42:18, Jun 4th 2013 - EW - For someone that is always spouting religious rhetoric, you try to come off as a ... [Read More]
- 11:32:18, May 31st 2013 - JO PLAYER - This is unfair to us girls. Morrie Miller is not getting canceled but J ... [Read More]
- 8:25:34, May 29th 2013 - RP - Why is Mr. Ehler involving himself with non-school activities? Is he going after ... [Read More]
33
Do you think the use of all fireworks should be legal in the state of Minnesota for all consumers?
4 CHILD TRAFFIC DEATHS IN 2009 - NONE RESTRAINED
Sat, Sep 12th, 2009
Posted in State of Minnesota
Posted in State of Minnesota
Comments
ST. PAUL - Preliminary 2009 crash facts from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) reveal that none of four children under age 7 killed in crashes this year were properly restrained and seven of 10 children seriously injured were also not in a safety restraint. DPS officials are underscoring this news and encouraging all parents and caregivers to make sure their children are riding in the correct restraint and that it is properly secured during national Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Week, Sept. 12-18. Officials are also using the week to remind Minnesotans of the state's new booster seat law that became effective July 1.
In Minnesota, 83 percent of child restraints are used incorrectly, meaning children are riding in the wrong restraint or it is not properly secured. During 2004-2008, 41 children under age 7 were killed on state roads and 59 percent of these children were either unrestrained or improperly restrained. During that same time period, 14 of the 17 children ages 4-7 - prime ages for booster seat use - killed in crashes were not properly restrained in a child safety seat or booster seat.
Under Minnesota's new booster seat law, a child cannot ride in a seat belt alone until they are
8 years old or reach 4 feet 9 inches tall - whichever comes first. DPS recommends keeping a child in a booster seat based on their height rather than their age.
Boosters are for children that have outgrown a forward-facing seat, usually around 40 pounds and age 4. A booster seat lifts a child up so a seat belt fits properly. Poor seat belt fit can contribute to serious injury - such as internal decapitation - ejection and death in traffic crashes. Heather Darby, CPS coordinator at DPS Office of Traffic Safety says a sign that a seat belt does not fit properly and a booster is needed is if a child wraps the shoulder belt behind them to avoid the belt rubbing against their neck. The fine for booster seat non-use is $50, but can cost more than $100 with administrative fees.
"Many parents lead busy lives, but it is so important not to put our schedules ahead of safety," says Darby. "We need to take care of our most precious cargo - our children - and properly secure them in the appropriate child restraint, and set a good example by buckling up as well."
Darby says a major issue with child passenger safety is that parents are not aware of the restraint steps a child should progress through as they age and grow: rear-facing infant seats, forward-facing toddler seats, booster seats, and seat belts. Darby says the back-to-school period is an ideal reminder for parents and caregivers to refresh their CPS skills and ensure their child seats are properly installed.
The most common child passenger safety mistakes are:
§ Turning a child from a rear-facing restraint to a forward-facing restraint too soon.
§ Restraint is not secured tight enough - the seat should not shift more than one inch side-to-side or out from the seat.
§ Harness on the child is not tight enough - if you can pinch harness material, it's too loose.
§ Retainer clip is up too high or too low - should be at the child's armpit level.
§ The child is in the wrong restraint - children must progress through different restraints as they age and grow; most often parents/caregivers neglect to use booster seats and "rush" children into adult seat belts that don't properly fit the child. Use a booster seat until the child is 8 years old, unless the child is 4?9?or taller.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to visit DPS's www.buckleupkids.state.mn.us website for materials including the "Buckle Up Kids" and "Don't Skip a Step" brochures that provide detail on how to properly secure a child in a vehicle.
In Minnesota, 83 percent of child restraints are used incorrectly, meaning children are riding in the wrong restraint or it is not properly secured. During 2004-2008, 41 children under age 7 were killed on state roads and 59 percent of these children were either unrestrained or improperly restrained. During that same time period, 14 of the 17 children ages 4-7 - prime ages for booster seat use - killed in crashes were not properly restrained in a child safety seat or booster seat.
Under Minnesota's new booster seat law, a child cannot ride in a seat belt alone until they are
8 years old or reach 4 feet 9 inches tall - whichever comes first. DPS recommends keeping a child in a booster seat based on their height rather than their age.
Boosters are for children that have outgrown a forward-facing seat, usually around 40 pounds and age 4. A booster seat lifts a child up so a seat belt fits properly. Poor seat belt fit can contribute to serious injury - such as internal decapitation - ejection and death in traffic crashes. Heather Darby, CPS coordinator at DPS Office of Traffic Safety says a sign that a seat belt does not fit properly and a booster is needed is if a child wraps the shoulder belt behind them to avoid the belt rubbing against their neck. The fine for booster seat non-use is $50, but can cost more than $100 with administrative fees.
"Many parents lead busy lives, but it is so important not to put our schedules ahead of safety," says Darby. "We need to take care of our most precious cargo - our children - and properly secure them in the appropriate child restraint, and set a good example by buckling up as well."
Darby says a major issue with child passenger safety is that parents are not aware of the restraint steps a child should progress through as they age and grow: rear-facing infant seats, forward-facing toddler seats, booster seats, and seat belts. Darby says the back-to-school period is an ideal reminder for parents and caregivers to refresh their CPS skills and ensure their child seats are properly installed.
The most common child passenger safety mistakes are:
§ Turning a child from a rear-facing restraint to a forward-facing restraint too soon.
§ Restraint is not secured tight enough - the seat should not shift more than one inch side-to-side or out from the seat.
§ Harness on the child is not tight enough - if you can pinch harness material, it's too loose.
§ Retainer clip is up too high or too low - should be at the child's armpit level.
§ The child is in the wrong restraint - children must progress through different restraints as they age and grow; most often parents/caregivers neglect to use booster seats and "rush" children into adult seat belts that don't properly fit the child. Use a booster seat until the child is 8 years old, unless the child is 4?9?or taller.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to visit DPS's www.buckleupkids.state.mn.us website for materials including the "Buckle Up Kids" and "Don't Skip a Step" brochures that provide detail on how to properly secure a child in a vehicle.
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