NEW STUDY FINDS THAT 4 OUT OF 5 PARENTS MOVE CHILDREN OUT OF BOOSTER SEATS BEFORE THEY ARE READY
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2024 ~ As National Child Passenger Safety Week begins, a new study released by Safe Kids Worldwide has revealed concerning statistics about the use of booster seats in motor vehicles. Despite progress being made in the last decade, a large number of children are still not properly buckled up, putting them at risk of severe and even fatal injuries.

The report, titled "Booster Seat Use in the USA: Breakthroughs and Barriers," found that four out of five parents move their child out of a booster seat before they are big enough. Additionally, three out of four parents are unaware that children need to ride in boosters until they reach a height of 4-foot-9-inches. The full report can be downloaded from Safe Kids Worldwide's website.

While seat belts are safer than no restraint at all, the study found that children who should be in a booster seat but only use a seat belt are at risk of severe abdominal, head, and spinal injuries. Torine Creppy, president of Safe Kids Worldwide, emphasized the importance of using booster seats correctly to prevent serious injuries. She stated, "Motor vehicle crashes are the second-leading cause of death for children ages 4 to 10. Booster seats save lives and prevent serious injuries but only if we use them and make sure they are adjusted properly."

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The study was conducted in collaboration with researchers from The Ohio State University and funded by a grant from Chevrolet. It surveyed 3,026 parents and caregivers with children ages 4 to 10 years old and focused on behaviors and awareness around the use of boosters. Previous research has shown that using booster seats reduces the risk of serious injury by 45 percent compared to using seat belts alone.

In addition to examining booster seat usage, the study also looked at risks associated with carpooling and school drop-offs or pick-ups. It found that thirty percent of caregivers who drive carpools do not always follow safety rules by letting children ride without the restraints they would normally use. Furthermore, eighty percent of caregivers reported noticing other drivers not following safety rules when driving children. Many also admitted to engaging in unsafe practices to comply with school policies.

The study called for a multi-pronged effort to educate families, particularly those at highest risk, and to adopt public policies to keep kids safe. Dr. Julie Mansfield, Research Associate Professor at The Ohio State University's Injury Biomechanics Research Center, stated, "Our goal is for every child to be appropriately restrained for every ride. Achieving that mission requires an understanding of how families make decisions and identifying effective ways to foster growth."

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Suzanne Johansson, head of child safety engineering at Chevrolet, also emphasized the importance of education and awareness in increasing booster seat usage. She said, "Chevrolet and Safe Kids have proudly worked together for more than 25 years to help educate parents and caregivers on safety best practices in and around vehicles. While we're encouraged by the progress we've seen in the last decade, this study shows that education and awareness are still critical."

The bottom-line message of the report is clear: buckle up every ride, every time, in the right seat. Safe Kids Worldwide encourages parents and caregivers to learn more about car seat safety on their website and find a Car Seat Event or Inspection Station near them. They also remind everyone that a child needs to be at least 57" tall (4'9") to ride in a seatbelt alone and provide a Safety Belt Fit Test for parents to determine if their child is ready.

As National Child Passenger Safety Week continues, it is crucial for everyone to remember the importance of properly buckling up children in booster seats until they are big enough for a seat belt alone. By following these guidelines and staying informed about car seat safety, we can work towards keeping all children safe on the road.
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