Did you hear? Evenflo Company, Inc. just announced that they are recalling more than 56,000 Transitions 3-in-1 Combination Booster Seats. The booster seat is being recalled because the child can loosen the seat's harness, while in the car seat, which could lead to an increased risk of injury to the child in the event of a crash.
One of my favorite parts of my job is talking with the EMTs, nurses, doctors, and other public health professionals who have recently become Child Passenger Safety Technicians. Their faces light up when they describe the feeling of wearing the CPST “hat” and working with colleagues and families in their communities. They appreciate the value of spending a little extra time assisting families to make sure car seats are used and installed correctly and that everyone is buckled up, every ride every time.
Safe Kids found that one in five parents whose children carpool say they “bend the rules” when driving, letting kids ride without seat belts and without the car seat or booster seat they would normally use.
Our new study helps answer some of the questions parents have about when to switch from a booster seat to just a seat belt. We surveyed 1,000 parents of children ages 4 to 10 and found that an alarming number of parents are allowing kids to use a seat belt alone before they are big enough. In fact, 7 in 10 parents do not know that a child should be at least 57 inches (4’9”) to ride in a car without a booster seat.
A car crash happens so quickly, but the pain can last forever, especially when it’s the pain of losing a child. Last April, 5-year-old Jason Santamaria went for a drive with his Aunt Florencia. Based on Jason’s size and weight, the safest place for him to ride was in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat of the car.