Seatbelts And Carseats
Friday, June 05, 2009
The correct use of seatbelts and infant and child carseats increases the rates of survival in motor vehicle accidents. It is important to buckle yourself, and your children, in appropriate safety restraints whenever you get in the car. This is true even for short trips. Most accidents occur near the home.
Statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation show that (in 2004) Nebraskans wore their seatbelts 79% of the time which was about the national average but well below the 95% use of states like Arizona and Hawaii.
The proper use of child safety seats greatly improves the chances of a child surviving a serious motor vehicle accident. Children should never ride without a safety seat or booster seat appropriate for their age, they should always be restrained properly, and they should never ride in the front seat. This page lists local child safety seat inspection stations that operate on a regular basis. The Broken Bow Fire Department has child safety seat inspections every other month.
The American Academy of Pediatrics publishes a guide for proper child safety seat use on their website and is a great resource for proper use.
If you have further questions you can always contact Central Nebraska Medical Clinic or talk to your doctor.
Remember, it only takes a few seconds or minutes to buckle up when you get in the car and it can save a lifetime.
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