Let's talk about car seat safety:
The best way to protect children in cars is to use the right car seat or booster seat for the child’s age, weight and height, and developmental status,” said Dr. Ben Hoffman. “It’s important for families to make sure that their car seat or booster seat meets current U.S. safety standards. Sadly, we are seeing more dangerous counterfeit car seats being bought online. These counterfeit seats can’t protect kids in a crash, and so we encourage caregivers to only purchase certified car seats from a reputable online or brick-and-mortar retailer.
We want to keep children safe in vehicles, but our traffic officers often find that children are not in the most appropriate safety seat for their height, weight and age,” said Sgt. Hornstein. “Parents focus so much attention on that first newborn seat and we commend their efforts to ensure it is properly fitted into their vehicle. However, there needs to be more information for parents to know when children should transition into a different seat.” “The best way to protect children in cars is to use the right car seat or booster seat for the child’s age, weight and height, and developmental status,” said Dr. Hoffman. “We know that car seats can be confusing and hard to use, and that’s why Doernbecher has certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians to help families use the right seat correctly. It’s important for families to make sure that their car seat or booster seat meets current U.S. safety standards. Sadly, we are seeing more dangerous counterfeit car seats being bought online. These counterfeit seats can’t protect kids in a crash, and so we encourage caregivers to only purchase certified car seats from a reputable online or brick-and-mortar retailer.” Dr. Hoffman says that though Oregon law requires children to remain in rear-facing car seats until the age of two, it's much safer for them to remain in the rear-facing seat as long as possible. If a child is in a forward-facing car seat with a harness it's important to keep them in that as long as possible until the manufacturer's weight and/or length limits are exceeded by the child. When they get close to exceeding the weight or length limit then they can transition into the belt positioning booster seat.
To make sure your child is safe, get your car seat checked. You can contact OHSU Doernbecher to schedule an appointment or find an event near you. Call the Doernbecher Tom Sargent Safety Center at 503-418-5666.