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Child Passenger Safety Trends

macomb county public health

Child Passenger Safety Program

Protect our most precious cargo!

Did you know that injuries from motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in children? (CDC 2006)    Most of the injuries could be prevented by using age and size appropriate car seats.  Using age and size appropriate car seats can reduce the risk of death in passenger cars by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers (ages 1 to 4).  When a child grows out of a traditional "harness" car seat, using a booster seat (approximate ages 4 to 7) can reduce the risk of injury by 59% compared to using a seatbelt alone (NHTSA 2006). 

 

Unfortunately, 8 out of 10 car seats are used incorrectly.   Some common mistakes associated with car seat use are:

  • Not securing the car seat tightly to the vehicle (it should move less than one inch)
  • Not securing the child in the car seat correctly (harnesses should be snug to the child)
  • Not using a booster seat when a child out grows his/her car seat

The Macomb County Health Department offers free car seat inspections year-round. Inspections are done on an appointment basis only, Monday through Friday. There are two Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians on staff to answer your questions or inspect your car seats. To schedule an appointment or for more information on child passenger safety, please call (586) 412-3398 or email us now.
 
Occasionally, parents can find the answers to their car seat questions in one or more of the fact sheets listed below.  If you are still in need of additional information about a car seat or to have your car seat inspected, do not hesitate to contact one of our technicians.
CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY FACT SHEETS
STAGES, AGES AND CAR SEATS INSTALLATION INFORMATION SPECIAL SITUATIONS
Selecting the Right Car Seat Are You Using Your Child's Car Seat Correctly? Information for Pregnant Women
This is the Way a New Baby Rides Installing Your Child's Car Seat Tightly Premature Infants and Car Seats
Car Seat Safety for Growing Babies

Learning About LATCH

 Car Seats for Children with Special Needs
Toddler Car Seat Challenges A Tether is Better  
Boosters are for Big Kids    


Over the last 6 years, the Child Passenger Safety Program has helped hundreds of parents and caregivers install and use their car seats safely.  The statistics below underscore the continuing need for education and inspection of car seats, as the misuse rate for seats inspected at Macomb County Health Department is over 83%.

MCHD Child Passenger Safety Program Statistics
YEAR
TOTAL
ADJUSTED TOTAL *
INCORRECT
CORRECT

 MISUSE RATE

NEW INSTALLATIONS**
2006-2007 295 192 141 51 73.4% 103
2005-2006
264
202
151
51
74.7%
62
2004-2005
315
262
226
36
86.2%
53
2003-2004
485
406
359
47
88.4%
79
2002-2003
472
400
341
59
85.3%
72
2001-2002
281
207
174
33
84.0%
74
CUMULATIVE
2112
1669
1392
277
83.4%
443

*Adjusted total = total car seats inspected - new installations.

**New car seat installations are not considered "correct" or "incorrect."

To schedule an appointment for a car seat inspection or to speak with a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, please call (586) 412-3398 or email us now.

rear facing car seat

 

 



          
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