New CR: Orbit Baby Toddler 2

CR Update: Maxi Cosi RodiFix 2

The Importance of a Booster Seat 3

Rear Facing Fiction: Myths vs. Facts 3

Inside This Issue

Volume VIII Issue III

September 2013 Tech Talk

Remember: • AAP

Recommends: All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least 2 years of age or until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car seat’s manufacturer.

• Advertise your

Fitting Station or Check Event! Email us your event details at gtipi@uga.edu

Together we can

make a difference!

The 2013 Buckle Up, America! Awards were featured as

a part of the Georgia Highway Safety Conference Awards Luncheon in Savannah

on August 20, 2013. The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and GTIPI presented the 2013 Buckle Up, Amer-ica! Awards at the Georgia Highway Safety Conference in Savannah. Nominees were recognized for their focus on child passenger

safety, teen driving, occupant protection pro-grams and outreach for all other ages at the lo-cal community level, regionally, and across the State of Georgia.

Congratulations to this year’s Award Winners!

Law Enforcement

Winder Police Department Byron Police Department

Health Department

Zetta Jones, GA Dept. Public Health

Community Partner

Safe Kids Walker County

Education

Brenda Maddox, UGA Extension Marion County

Medical Medical Center of Central Georgia Kohl’s Kids Safety Zone Program

Volunteer

Luther Hires

Media

WRDW TV-12 Augusta

Corporate

Montlick & Associates Wal-Mart

2013 Buckle Up, America! Award Winners Andrew Turnage, CPSTI

PAGE 2 SEPTEMBER 2013

Maxi Cosi RodiFix™ Booster Andrew Turnage, CPSTI

The RodiFix™ is the next generation of the original Rodi™ with side impact protection, now with rigid LATCH (ISOFIX) for easy positioning to center the child in the seating position and securement both during use and when unoccopied.

www.maxi-cosi.com

RodiFix™ Booster Seat features:

• For children between 30-120 lbs. and up to 57" • Air protect side impact protection • IsoFIX: Built-in retractable rigid LATCH connectors for

easy installation • Synchronized multi-height headrest and expanding side

wings grow with child • Recline-able with front access to match vehicle's seat-

back angle for best fit • Locking shoulder belt guides • Easy-clean premium fabric • MSRP ~ $250

New Convertible: Orbit Baby Toddler Car Seat G2™ Andrew Turnage, CPSTI

The latest from the Toddler Car Seat G2® is designed for easy entry and exit, for rotating rear-facing on the Car Seat Base (sold separately), and to ergonomi-cally dock from nearly any angle into the car. The Toddler Car Seat G2® is the second generation Orbit Baby® con-vertible that docks onto a stroller. It is designed to accommodate children weighing from 15 up to 65 pounds. FEATURES: • Toddler Car Seat for children 15-65 lbs

and up to up to 50” in height • Weight range: 15-35 lbs rear-facing 20-65 lbs forward-facing • Dimensions: interior height: 23in interior width: 11.5in interior SIP depth: 8in exterior width: 18in • Seat weight: 21.5lbs • Side Impact Braces™ give off-base installations a wide footprint for stability • Side wings made with EPP foam for side- impact protection • Upholstery design removes for washing without compromising harness safety • LATCH optimized, can also be installed with vehicle seat belts • FAA approved • Installs on Car Seat Base rear-facing only • Installs with Side Impact Braces™ either rear- or forward-facing

• First convertible car seat to dock onto a stroller • Removable UV sunshade • Color-coded cover and labeling for easy rear- and forward-facing installations • Side pockets store LATCH belt buckles while strolling • Docks and rotates on Orbit Baby stroller frames, car seat bases, and rockers • Adjustable headrest and storage tote for braces • Available in three colors • MSRP ~ $380 [seat only]

More information and manuals online at: www.orbitbaby.com/en/products/toddler-car-seat-g2/

DISCLAIMER: Trade and brand names are used only for information, and descriptions are those of the manufacturers. The University of Georgia Extension, College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences and College of Family & Consumer Sciences, does not guarantee nor warrant published standards on any product mentioned, neither does the use of a trade or brand name imply approval of any product to the exclusion of others which may also be suitable.

SEPTEMBER 2013 PAGE 3

The Importance of a Booster Seat Reshma Punjani, CPST

seat up to a minimum height of 4'9”. Safe Kids Worldwide reports that during a car crash, children who are seated in the back in a booster seat are 45% less likely to be injured. Booster seats are mandatory is because they help children fit their seat belts in the best way possi-ble. Additionally, booster seats provide an excellent transitional period between car seats and the adult seat belt. The proper positioning for a seat belt is for the shoulder strap to be across the shoulder bone and the lap belt to be low on the hips. Booster seats help lift the child up so that they fit the adult seat belt properly. It is important to ensure that children keep the shoulder belt in the proper position and do not place it be-hind their back or under their arm. One way of convincing children to stay buckled in a booster seat is to promote it as a "big kids" seat. Another way is to demonstrate how a booster seat will raise them up and allow them to see well out-

It’s back to school time! As children are preparing to head off to school again, it is important that they continue to travel in the safest way possible. Not only is it crucial for infants and toddlers to ride in a child restraint, but all children who have outgrown their harness weight lim-its must ALWAYS travel in a booster

side the window. Adults should also demonstrate the im-portance of safety by buckling up every time they ride and ensuring that their children are also correctly buckled into their booster seat. When parents buckle up, 93% of the time their kids do, too. For more information visit: http://www.safekids.org/safetytips/field_risks/booster-seat Keep your certification current, visit: http://cert.safekids.org/

Find a CEU Workshop at: http://www.ridesafegeorgia.org/

Rear-facing Fiction—Myths vs. Facts Ashley Phillips, CPSTI

two-year-old threshold; but there are many rear-facing seats that accommo-date children well beyond age two (Ex: Graco SnugRide ClickConnect 40). Most convertible CRs have similar rear-facing weight limits.

Myth: Children’s legs are too cramped when they ride rear-facing. Fact: Children have more flexible bodies and are able to make themselves comfortable in positions that seem impossible for adults. Children often sit with their legs bent and folded. Another concern is that children’s legs and hips may be at higher risk of injury in a crash. The truth is that children who ride in rear-facing CRs experience a decreased risk of injury—they are five times safer than those who ride forward-facing too

CPSTs have heard various excuses, com-plaints, and concerns about rear-facing travel. But the fact is that much of the talk surrounding this topic is rooted in fiction. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Safe Kids Worldwide, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, all agree chil-dren should ride rear-facing for as long as possible, at least until age 2.

Despite the consensus, many myths re-main. Consider the following responses to common myths about children in rear-facing child restraints:

Myth: A toddler is too big for a rear-facing seat. Fact: Some children will outgrow their rear-facing seats before reaching the

young. Brain and spinal cord injuries associated with transporting children for-ward-facing too early are of far greater concern than the minor risk posed by legs touching the seat back.

Myth: All seats with higher weight limits are expensive. Fact: There is a child restraint for every budget. CPSTs must become familiar with local resources available for fami-lies who need assistance obtaining car seats.

Myth: I need to see my child in the car. Fact: The driver needs to focus on driv-ing. If a rear-facing child needs special attention during a trip, an additional pas-senger should monitor him or her, or the driver should pull over at a safe location.

Need another copy of your CPST card? Go to cert.safekids.org and log in. At the bottom of your profile page, click the link that states

“Click here for Your Wallet Card/Certificate.”

Child Passenger Safety Technician

October 1-4 Columbus October 22-24 Conyers November 12-15 Americus December 10-13 Conyers

CPST CEU Workshop

October 7 Webcast October 10 Suwanee November 4 Webcast November 21 Thomasville December 5 Conyers

GTIPI Training Dates PAGE 4 SEPTEMBER 2013

CPS Basic Awareness December 3 Conyers

Georgia Teens Ride with P.R.I.D.E. Instructor Certification

October 15 Conyers December 17 Conyers November 19 Conyers

Georgia Teens Ride with P.R.I.D.E. Instructor Re-Certification

Webcasts are available online Monthly

CarFit Event Coordinator and Technician Certification

April 2-3, 2014 Conyers Tech & Event Coordinator Certification

NHTSA’s “4 Steps for Kids” recommendations for using child safety seats using best practice guidelines. Visit http://www.nhtsa.gov/ChildSafety/step1 for more information.

Register online at www.ridesafegeorgia.org

Child Passenger Safety Are you spreading the word?

Best Practice Saves Lives