THE QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC PEDIATRICIANS
Spring 2016 Issue
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Melnick at Large
Are You 'Car Safe'?
By Arnold Melnick, DO, FACOP
 |
Arnold Melnick, DO, FACOP |
Do we as pediatricians pay enough attention to the car safety of our patients? And are their parents really concerned? Or do we just dismiss the entire problem by asking, "Do you use a car seat for your toddler?" and be satisfied with the answer?
Before you answer, look at these brief statistics, from national safety groups:
80% |
of child passenger safety technicians report that they see car seats that are not installed properly |
618,337 |
children age 12 and younger who sometimes rode in cars without a child safety seat or booster seat or seat belt |
3 out of 4 |
children in car seats are not secured correctly |
Kind of shakes you up, doesn't it? Should we be paying attention to the problem? Should we be asking more questions? If not us, then who?
The problem was enhanced somewhat in 2002 with the introduction of LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children). It created built-in straps and hooks on the safety seat and anchor hardware in vehicles, improving the existing safety devices. The added danger was created by parents who are not sure how to install the new system and often do it incorrectly.
Pediatricians who want to add this to their pediatric histories or learn more details about the subject should contact AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (SafeSeats4Kids.AAA.com), a certified child passenger safety technician (safercar.gov), or perhaps your local auto dealer.
Do you have some favorite personal or office anecdotes? Are you willing to share them with me? I’d like to collect them and maybe share them with others. Please send them to melnick5050@outlook.com and be sure to include your name and address (street or e-mail). They will be appreciated.
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