ABSTRACT
Overview .......................................................................................................................... 605 Car Restraints .................................................................................................................. 606
Child Safety Seating .................................................................................................... 606 Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) System ......................................... 609 Belt-Positioning Booster Seats ..................................................................................... 613
Position in Car ................................................................................................................. 613 Safety Features ................................................................................................................ 614
Seat Belts ..................................................................................................................... 614 Air Bags ....................................................................................................................... 615
Type of Vehicles .............................................................................................................. 616 Prevention ........................................................................................................................ 617
Heat-Related Deaths ................................................................................................... 617 Child and Adolescent Drivers ...................................................................................... 618 Community Efforts ........................................................................................................ 618
Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 620 References ...................................................................................................................... 621
OVERVIEW
In the United States, motor vehicle injuries are the leading cause of death in children at every age after their first birthday.* Children’s injuries are also more severe than those of adults; their small size and developing bones and muscles make them more susceptible to injury in car crashes if not properly restrained (s.f. CDC, 2006). Many of these deaths could have been avoided, such as by proper use of child restraints in vehicles.
