The Killer Amongst us! Written by: austinsm0mmy

[hayleesmommy07]

In 2005, 4 children a day died from an indiscrimate killer in the US.

That's 1,335 a year.  It is estimated that this year closer to 2000 children will lose their lives to this killer

Another 500 a day face this killer but escape with their lives. However, for some the quality of their lives may never be the same.

This killer doesn't care where you live...

or where you went to school...

or what type of car you drive...

there is no vaccine that can protect your child from this killer...

and even though millions of dollars have been invested in researching how we can protect ourselves from this killer it still hits again and again.

it can strike any time of day

and any day of the week

it can happen five minutes from your house

or while you are on vacation

you may get seconds of a warning

or it may strike from no where

it lays there in wait

So, what can you do to protect yourself and your family from this killer?

It's actually very simple - and we have the answers already but for some reason we choose to ignore them.

Secure yourself and your child safely in the car!

Thats right I'm not talking about a disease, I'm talking about vehicle accidents.

More children lose their lives in the US in vehicle accidents than from any other cause in the US.

It is up to you to protect your child and educate yourself.

It is estimated that anywhere between 70% and 90% of children are not being restrained correctly and in accordance with the manufacturers guidelines.  Ask yourself how confident you are that your child isn't one of them.

IF you have the misfortune of having to face this killer the decisions you make now may be the difference between life and death.

The decisions you make now will be the difference between your child walking away or being wheeled away.

There are no do overs in car accidents.

You won't have time to tell you 7 year old to fasten their seatbelt.

Or make sure your child's straps are tight and the chest clip is correct.

When it happens you don't have time to do anything - so you have to be prepared.

Car seats reduce the risk of serious injury and death by over 70% in children under a year old

and by 54% in children 1-4 years old.

The reason for the difference is because up until 1 years old most children are kept rear facing.

Children's Hospital  in Philidelphia also found that booster seats for children between 4 years old and 7 years old reduce the risk of serious injury by 59%.

There are certain things you as a parent can do to give your child the best chance.

The first is keep them rear facing to the limit of their seat.  Young childrens spinal cords are not developed enough to withstand the forces of an accident forward facing. When they are kept rear facing they are cradled by the car seat and their head and neck are protected.

The next thing you can do is keep your child harnessed as long as possible.  Children under 40lbs risk submarining in a booster seat - they also risk injuries from the seatbelt that should be protecting them.  For a booster seat to protect your child it must be used correctly every single time and the seat belt must fit the child correctly.

Once your child moves to a booster you should keep them there until they can fit an adult seatbelt correctly and pass the five step test.

The 5-Step Test.

1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3. Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?

Sept 12th is National Car Seat check day - use this opportunity to have your seats checked and make sure your kids don't become one of these statistics.

You have one chance - make sure you get it right.

If you have any questions or would like any more information please either PM me or check out the car seat safety group.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/childpas.htm

http://www.edgarsnyder.com/auto-accident/resources/statistics.html

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98055567