Posted on April 20, 2007 by Regan Zambri & Long

Press Release: Defective Child Car Seat Dangers

According to a recent  press release by 24-7 Press Release, an on-line  press release
distribution service, "Child car seats can cause serious damage or personal injury if not
designed or used correctly."

"/24-7PressRelease/ - March 21, 2007 - Motor vehicle accidents are the leading
cause of death for anyone in the U.S. from birth until his or her teen years. Child
car seats are designed to prevent death and minimize injuries to children in the
event of an automobile accident. There are many reasons why child car seats
sometimes do not perform as they should, not the least of which is that many
parents do not know when to use them or how to use them correctly.  In addition
to failing to protect a child from harm if a child's car seat that does not work as
intended, a defective car seat can actually cause additional injuries to a child.
The more common child seat defects include:

  • Shoulder straps may slide loose or unclip under the force of an automobile 
    • collision, resulting in full or partial ejection from the seat.
  • The slot where the seat belt holds the car seat in position is not strong enough
    to hold the seat in place during a car accident.
  •  Inadequate pelvic protection allows the child to slide down in the seat during a
    car crash.

    • Other problems include weak construction, unanticipated rotation, sudden
    releases and defective handles, among others. Holding child car seat
    manufacturers  liable for injuries resulting from their defective products ensures
    that child car seat quality and technology will continue to improve.

    When you buy a car seat for your child, you should frequently check if the car
    seat  has been recalled. Manufacturers are required to fix the problem free of
    charge.  If your car seat is recalled, be sure to get it fixed immediately.

    Information on child car seat recalls is available on U.S. Department of
    Transportation website.  You may also obtain updated information by calling
    the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT, which is provided by
    the U.S.  Department of Transportation (DOT).

    One of the easiest ways to keep track if any recalls have been issued for your
    car  seat is for you to register it. If you have an older model that has not been
    registered,  the Auto Safety Hotline provides information on how to do so.

    Before you call the Auto Safety Hotline, however, you should have the
    Manufacturer's Name,  the car seat's name and model number, and the date
    of manufacture readily available. You may find this information on labels that
    are typically attached on the back, the side, or underneath the car seat. If the
    information is in number codes, it may be best to have the car seat readily
    available when you  make your call.

    Of course, when initially purchasing a car seat for your child, you may wish
    to first consult  a consumer reporting agency and pay close attention to
    height and weight limits of the car  seat as your child grows. You should
    also make sure that the car seat is compatible with your car."

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    Posted on April 16, 2007 by Regan Zambri & Long

    Tips for Taking Your Baby With You on Your Bicycle

    In a recently published article by NewsWireRelease, Debra Holzman, recognized safety and health expert, and author of The Safe Baby: A Do--It Yourself Guide to Home Safety, offers some practical advice and a checklist of suggestions to help keep young children safe:

    • Never carry a baby younger than one year on your bicycle.
    • Select the right helmet. Look for the CPSC standard sticker inside the helmet.
    • Choose seating approved by ASTM (American Standard for for Testing and Materials).
    • Carry children in child trailers pulled by the bike.  Attach a 6 foot red or orange flag to the trailer for better visibility.
    • Have the bike store where your purchase a carrier install it for you.
    • Make certain that the following features are included for your rear-mounted child seat: high back, sturdy shoulder harness, snug fitting lap belt, spoke guards
    • Practice riding your bike with a weight comparable to the child's weight before allowing the child to ride with you. Bikes handle and balance differently with extra weight.
    • Both you and your child should wear brightly-colored clothing and close-toe shoes.
    • Ride only in daylight, in safe areas, avoiding busy roads and bad weather.  Obey all traffic laws.
    • Give up cycling with a child who is too fidgety to ride safely.

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    Posted on April 14, 2007 by Regan Zambri & Long

    Salmonella Risk: Dangers of Giving Baby Animals as Easter Gifts

    Easter baskets are traditional gifts for adults and children of all ages.  Along with the traditional colored eggs, chocolate bunnies and stuffed animals, many people include live baby chicks or ducklings in their Easter baskets.  Because they look so soft, cuddly and cute, many people do not realize that how harmful live baby chicks and ducklings can be for small children.  According to the Centers for for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), young birds often carry Salmonella bacteria, which can be particularly dangerous  and contagious for young children. 

    The CDC website answers the following questions regarding the hazards of giving small children live chicks or ducklings as Easter basket presents:

    • Why should I not buy chicks and ducklings as Easter gifts?
    • How is Salmonella transmitted?
    • How do I know if a chick or duckling has Salmonella?
    • How do I reduce the exposure of young children to Salmonella from chicks and ducklings?
    • What are the signs of Salmonella infections in humans?
    • How are Salmonella infections diagnosed and treated?
    • Are there any government restrictions concerning the sale of chicks?
    According to the CDC National Center for Infectious Diseases, Salmonella is more likely to affect infants, children younger than five years old, organ transplant patients, people with HIV/AIDS, and people receiving treatment for cancer. 

    We encourage everyone to avoid including live baby animals in their Easter celebrations, so that this time of year can be healthy for their families.

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