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Putnam County Sheriff's Office Announces National Child Passenger Safety Week
Sheriff Donald B. Smith has announced the Department's participation in National Child Passenger Safety Week, a special week set aside to remind the public of the importance of using safety seats when transporting children. National Child Passenger Safety Week takes place each February during the full week of Valentine's Day.
"I would like to take this opportunity to remind the residents of Putnam County to examine their child's safety seat to make sure the seat is in good condition and appropriate for the child's age, weight, and height" stated Sheriff Smith.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that infants up to one year and under 20 pounds should be in a rear facing safety seat. The seat should not be able to move more than one inch side to side at the belt path area. The end of the child safety seat that is near the edge of the seat will not tighten down, as it is designed to ride up in the event of a crash. That allows the child to ride down the impact of a collision or sudden stop. If the child is in an infant carrier, the handle should be locked in the farthest down position and not touching the back of the front seat.
Do not use towels, blankets or pillows to adjust the position of the safety seat unless the manufacturer's instructions state that you can. Also, do not dress the child in heavy bunting, or place any pillows or blankets on the safety seat behind a child. Soft items can compress in a crash and loosen the safety seat installation or allow too much room at the harness straps. The harness straps should be at or below the child's shoulder and snug, allowing only 1 or 2 fingers to fit under the strap at the collarbone.
When a child reaches one year of age and at least 20 pounds the convertible safety seat can be turned around or the child can be placed in a forward facing safety seat. The harness straps should be at or above the child's shoulder and snug, allowing only 1 or 2 fingers to fit under the strap at the collarbone. Children should ride in a forward facing seat with harness straps until they are at least 40 pounds or the weight that the child safety seat manufacturer recommends for that particular seat.
Sheriff Smith states that "The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that it is critical for children over 40 pounds to ride in a belt positioning booster until they are at least 4'9". New York states has joined may other states in adopting a booster seat law which states children must be secured in a booster seat until they reach the age of 7 year old. The Sheriff suggests a simple test to see if a child is ready to use an adult safety belt after the age of 7. A child should be able to sit with their back straight against the car's back seat, with knees bent over the edge of the seat. If a child cannot sit this manner, then they are not big enough to use an adult safety belt.
The Sheriff cautions "an adult safety belt on a small child can ride up over their stomach, or cut across the neck. A belt positioning booster seat will keep the safety belt low on the hips and centered across the chest to better support small bodies in the event of a crash or sudden stop"
All children should ride in the back seat, away from airbags. If a child needs to ride in the front seat, move the seat all the way back, make sure the safety belt is snug and do not let the child lean towards the dashboard or against the door.
If you are not sure about your child's safety seat, the Sheriff recommends County residents take advantage of monthly safety seat clinics that are held in cooperation with the Town of Kent and the Town of Carmel Police Departments. At the clinics, certified technicians examine seats, check for recalls, check how the child fits in the seat, install safety seats and answer questions.
The next Child Safety Seat Clinic will take place Saturday February 17th, 2007 at the Carmel Fire Department from 9am to 2pm. To set up an appointment for the next clinic, please contact Deputy Sheriff Adam McKechnie at 845-225- 4300 ex.422. More traffic safety information can be obtained by logging on to www.SafeNY.com.
A child safety seat can only protect a child if it is properly installed, correctly fitted to the child and most importantly used every time a child is transported. The Sheriff urged all adults to please lead by example. "When you get in a car, buckle up yourself every time, make certain that all children are secured in appropriate safety seats and require any other occupants to buckle up too".
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