Making the Best Choices for Your Child’s Safety: An Update on Laws and Best Practices in Passenger Safety
Summary: <a href="https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots/child-passenger-safety/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank"></a>Car crashes remain the leading cause of death and injury for children under 14 years of age, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But many of those injuries and fatalities can be prevented if we follow best practices in passenger safety. <a href="https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots/child-passenger-safety/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Heather Darby</a>, coordinator of passenger safety for the <a href="https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots/child-passenger-safety/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">MN Department of Public Safety – Office of Traffic Safety</a>, joins Marti & Erin for an important conversation about proper use of car seats, how to know if shoulder straps are providing the protection they should, why airbags pose a danger for children under 13 and how heavy winter clothes can compromise the effectiveness of seatbelts and car seats. Heather also helps Marti & Erin think about how to explain that a 12-year-old is safer in the back seat even if she’s the same height as Grandma!<br> <br> <br> <br> What are the ages of your children and what are the laws and best practices for keeping them safe in the car? What other adults drive your children and how well do they understand passenger safety rules and recommendations?<br> <br> <br> <br> To locate a Minnesota car seat check near you, <a href="https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots/child-passenger-safety/Pages/car-seat-checks.aspx" target="_blank">click here</a>.<br> <br> For a Guide for Child Passenger Safety Seats and Seat Belts, <a href="http://momenough.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Dont-Skip-a-Step.pdf" target="_blank">click here</a>.<br> <br> For the Buckle Up Kids brochure, <a href="http://momenough.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Buckle-Up-Kids.pdf" target="_blank">click here</a>.<br> <br> To visit BuckleUpKids.mn.gov, <a href="https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots/child-passenger-safety/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">click here</a>.
