Summer means more time on the move and on the road. Can you believe that an astounding 46 percent of people install car seats incorrectly? In the summer months especially, parents and caregivers need to know, or be reminded of, the correct way to install and use car seats and helmets.
First 5 San Bernardino and the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health visited FOX 11 studios in Los Angeles in the height of summer to show viewers of “Good Day LA” how to make sure a child is buckled in safely and correctly. The FOX 11 Los Angeles news segment can be viewed and shared here.
Crystal Montejo, child passenger safety technician at the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, joined the show’s news anchor to talk about the difference between rear-facing and forward-facing car seats, and how to perform the necessary seat checks before hitting the road.
Mary Curtis Santoyo, mother and First 5 San Bernardino office assistant III, closed out the segment with her 3-year-old son Orion to show viewers how to properly secure a helmet. Summertime is the most popular time for kids to be outside riding bikes and scooters. With our young children’s skulls still developing, Mary demonstrated the three-step Helmet Fit Test with Orion, who brought his favorite scooter.
The news segment was on the heels of First 5 San Bernardino’s annual Kid Safe Summer campaign which focuses on water, sun and on-the-move safety for children under 5. The partnership with the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health also brought attention to the County’s free car seat safety classes.
Knowing how to properly install or check a car seat and helmet can save a life. For more information and resources, visit our Kid Safe Summer page or the SBC Department of Public Health’s Car Seat Safety website.