Child Passenger Safety Week: September 17 to 23, 2023

In keeping with current events, this week’s Child Passenger Safety Week brings us back to the subject of child safety car seats.

As parents, guardians and caregivers, ensuring our children’s safety is our top priority. When it comes to traveling by vehicle, we need to take extra precautions to protect our little ones. Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of death and injury among children in the United States, with devastating consequences. Every year, these accidents claim the lives of more than 700 children aged 12 and under, and more than 73,000 children are injured. These statistics aren’t just numbers; they represent young lives and families forever affected by preventable tragedies. Child Passenger Safety Week, which runs from September 17 to 23, 2023, is a vital reminder of the importance of securing children in age- and size-appropriate car seats, booster seats and seat belts.

The CDC booster seat planning guide (download ICI)

The CDC recognizes the urgency of this problem and has developed a comprehensive resource to address it: the Booster Seat Planning Guide . This guide is designed to enable states, tribes, localities and territories to evaluate, plan and implement improved booster seat laws aimed at reducing child injuries and deaths in crashes.

5 steps to safer travel for our children

The Booster Seat Planning Guide describes five crucial steps that can make a substantial difference to child passenger safety:

1. Assess existing laws and regulations:** Start by evaluating existing laws and regulations in your state on child passenger safety. Understand where improvements can be made to better protect children.

2. Collect data:** Collect data on motor vehicle accidents involving children. Understanding the circumstances and causes of these accidents is essential to developing effective solutions.

3. Engage stakeholders:** Involve stakeholders, including law enforcement, medical professionals, educators and community organizations, in booster seat safety discussions. Collaboration is key to raising awareness and implementing change.

4. Develop and Implement Strong Laws:** Use the collected data and stakeholder input to develop and implement robust booster seat laws. These laws should address age, size, and weight requirements, ensuring that children are appropriately secured based on their individual needs.

5. Educate and Raise Awareness:** Launch educational campaigns to inform parents, caregivers, and the public about the importance of booster seat safety. Effective communication can drive behavioral changes that save lives.

Join the Movement

Child Passenger Safety Week is not just a week to remember—it’s a call to action. We, as parents and caregivers, have the power to protect our children on the road. By following the guidelines set forth by the CDC’s Booster Seat Planning Guide and advocating for stronger laws and increased awareness, we can make a difference.

The Child Passenger Safety Association(CPSA) of Canada has teamed up with Parachute and Child Safety Link to recommend improvements to child passenger safety legislation in every province and territory.

throughout this week, this association is organizing training activities for child passenger safety technicians and child car seat inspection clinics. You can find the schedule at the following link https://www.cpsac.org/event/

Students will learn about the various types of restraint systems and stages, how to install various types of car seats, and vehicle restraint laws in Canada. Students will also be required to participate in a short car seat clinic with the focus on educating parents and assisting with installation of their child restraint system.

The training includes two and a half days in a classroom setting and a 3-4 hour hands-on practical exam at a car seat clinic. (this will occur on the afternoon of the 3rd day)

Your Child’s Safety Matters

As you observe Child Passenger Safety Week, take a moment to ensure your child’s safety in the car. Are they in the right car seat or booster seat for their age and size? Are they properly secured with a seat belt? Your commitment to their safety today can make all the difference in the world tomorrow