MEDICAL MOMENT: CHOOSING A CAR SEAT FOR A KID

31 May MEDICAL MOMENT: CHOOSING A CAR SEAT FOR A KID

Telluride Inside… and Out is proud to feature the Telluride Medical Center’s MEDICAL MOMENT, a weekly column that answers common medical questions in pop culture. Have a question for the doctors? Click here to send.

Dr. Kent Gaylord, Board Certified in Family Practice

Dr. Kent Gaylord answers this week’s question:

HOW DO I CHOOSE THE BEST CAR SEAT FOR MY CHILD?”

Quick facts:

• Motor vehicle injuries represent the leading causes of death among children age 3-14 years old in the U.S.
• Three out of four parents think their child is in the right car seat, but they are not.
• From 2006 to 2010, 64 children age 0 through 12 died in traffic crashes in Colorado. Over half (55%) were not using a child safety seat or seat belt, or they were using one improperly.
• Choosing the right size car seat, and using it, is critical for your childs safety while in a motor vehicle.

Car Seat Recommendations:

Ages 0-2: All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing car safety seat until they are 2 years of age or until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by the manufacturer of their car seat.

Infants younger than 2 years have relatively large heads and several structural features of their neck and spine that place them at particularly high risk of head and spine injuries in motor vehicle crashes. Rear facing car seats provide optimal support to the head and spine in the event of a crash. When children using infant only seats reach the highest weight for their seat, they should continue to ride rear facing in a convertible seat for as long as possible.

Most currently available seats can be used rear facing to at least 35 lbs.

Ages 2-8: All children 2 years or older, or those younger than 2 years who have outgrown the rear facing weight or height limit for their car safety seat, should use a forward facing car safety seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by the manufacturer of their car seat.  Several models of convertible and combination car seats can accommodate children up to 65 to 80lbs when used forward facing.

Ages 8 to 12: All children whose weight or height is above the forward facing limit for their car seat should use a belt positioning booster seat until the vehicle lap and shoulder belt fits properly, typically when the have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height and are between 8 and 12 years of age. All children younger than 13 should be restrained in the rear seats of vehicles for optimal protection.

Ages 13 and older: When children are old enough and large enough to use the vehicle seat belt alone, they should always use lap and shoulder seat belts for optimal protection.

Editor’s note: The Telluride Medical Center is the only 24-hour emergency facility within 65 miles. You can choose your own medical provider visit with a specialist or take advantage of their Mountain Skin Care services. As a mountain town in a challenging, remote environment, a thriving medical center is vital to our community’s health. For more Medical Moments on TIO, Click Here.