Fact Sheet from Safe Ride News

Help New Parents Choose and Use Child Restraints Correctly

All newborn infants need special attention to be comfortable and safe in the car. Child restraints or car beds exist to meet the needs of most babies. Parents look to nurses and doctors as authorities in child passenger safety. You can help parents by:

• Developing a discharge policy and protocols for education and for angle tolerance testing for preemies.
• Offering current materials specific to the needs of new parents and referrals for additional information.
• Knowing where to get low-cost car seats and car beds when needed.
• Not going beyond your level of expertise. Avoid giving hands-on assistance to patients with regard to using or installing restraints unless you are certified as a Child Passenger Safety Technician. Refer families to technicians in your area or to national resources (see Resources).

Fact Sheet from Safe Ride News

Every child deserves the best possible protection from injury while riding in a motor vehicle. Some state car seat laws exempt children with medical conditions, but any child riding without proper protection is at risk of injury even in a minor crash.Parents look to nurses, physical and occupational therapists, and doctors as authorities in child passenger safety. You can help them by: 

• Developing a discharge policy and protocols for education of all children and families.
• Developing protocols for identifying children who need specialty child restraints and for assisting parents in obtaining and using specialty restraints.