Le Bonheur Children's Hospital

Quarterly Safety Tips

 

The Truth about Booster Seats


Are you confused about using a booster seat?

Real children are not like crash test dummies, so every seat can fit differently. Booster kids come in all shapes and sizes, so take your child to pick out the booster that fits him or her best.

Don’t panic if your booster seat shows up on a “not recommended” list. The seat that does not fit the crash dummy may fit your child perfectly and all boosters on the market meet federal crash test standards.

The most important factor is how a booster fits your child:

  • Does the shoulder belt rest on the shoulder bone? You may have to raise the booster seat’s head rest to adjust the fit for your child.
  • Does the lap belt lay across the upper legs or thighs? Be sure the lap belt is under both armrests.
  • If both lap and shoulder belt fit as directed, you have a “recommended” seat because it is a good fit for your child.

 

The numbers tell the truth: booster seats save lives.


The latest research shows that children who use a belt positioning booster seat in a back seat are 45 percent less likely to be injured in a crash than those who use just a seat belt.

In Tennessee, children must ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until they are either 4 feet 9 inches tall or 9 years old.

 

January 21, 2010

From Safe Kids Mid-South, led by Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center and part of a global campaign to prevent accidental injury to children. 

For more safety tips, please click on the articles below.


ATV Safety 

As bigger and faster all terrain vehicles (ATV's) have been introduced over the past decade, ATV-related deaths and injuries have increased substantially in every age group. From 1997 to 2001, injury rates increased 23 percent for children age 6 to 12, and 233 percent for children younger than age 6.

ATVs Pose Significant Safety Risk to Children 

ATV-related deaths and injuries have substantially increased across all age groups, as bigger and faster all-terrain vehicles have been introduced in the past decade. Children younger than 16 face the highest risks.

Babysitting Safety 

Safe Sitting Advice - Keeping Kids Safe While Parents Are Away

Back to School Safety Checklist 

A good time to do a basic safety check is when kids go back to school.

Backpack Safety 

Homework is just a part of life in the day of a school-aged child. Along with homework comes toting loads of books that can put a heavy burden on backs.

Bicycle Safety 

You can greatly reduce your child's risk of injury by setting limits. One single rule - wear a helmet - can reduce the risk of head injury by 85 percent.

Fire Safety 

The leading causes of fire-related deaths to children ages 14 and under are heating equipment, playing with items that can ignite fire, and cooking equipment.

Halloween Safety 

Tips to keep you family safe during the Halloween season.

Holiday Safety 

This holiday season, you could get your kids to play safe, or… better yet, get them to play smart!

Pedestrian Safety 

Step To It - Safely. Pedestrian injury is all too common.

Poison Prevention 

Many household products used everyday - medicines, cleansers and iron supplements - can prove deadly if left within the reach of young children.

Safety In and Around Vehicles 

Being safer in and around cars is just one step you can take to keep your family free from injury.

School Bus Safety Tips 

Tips for parents about school bus safety are offered by Safe Kids Mid-South, headquartered at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital:

Sports Safety 

Score Big this Fall Sports Season by Remembering Safety First

Step To It Safely This Halloween 

Did you know that October 31 is the most dangerous day of the year for child pedestrians?

Summer Safety Quiz 

Take the Summer Safety Quiz and Make it a Safe Kids Summer

Top Ten Summer Safety Tips 

Soon children will be out of school on break. Summer brings endless hours of sun and fun. Yet, it’s also an opportunity for both small and serious injuries from playground falls to drownings. Here are some safety tips to help make it a “Safe Kids Summer!”

Toy Safety 

What do you need to know to keep you family safe when buying toys.

Water Safety 

"Splash Into Safety" this summer with advice from the Safe Kids Mid-South, headquartered at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital.

Winter Safety 

As temperature falls and it’s time to break out the mittens and coats, you can't take safety for granted. Fireplaces, space heaters, freezing temperatures may pose a hazard to your child if you are not careful.