Need help writing a letter to AAA Via magazine -- awful child safety advice

calihannah · Aug 25, 2012

The latest issue of the California AAA magazine "Via" has this awful page of child safety "tips" -- really terrible info on what parents "should" do to keep their children safe at every age and stage -- they completely skip convertible car seats and encourage boostering way too soon:

I'd like to write to the editor to encourage them to give better info. What would you say in a letter?

jjordan · Aug 25, 2012

There is a very small amount of good advice there.

What the heck is a AAA certified technician?!?

I guess, if you're writing a letter, it should at least address each of the glaring mistakes in the article. Maybe highlight the NHTSA seat progression (in contrast to the article's stages).

Athena · Aug 25, 2012

"4 OR 40" Huh? I've only ever heard it said 4 AND 40. They can't even get the minimums stated correctly. Ugh!

Good for you for writing to them! Including the NHTSA steps and AAP's guidelines would be good, as well as informing them of the existence of convertible seats, since few toddlers will make it to 2yo in an infant seat, certainly not happily since most want to be more upright before then.

creideamh · Aug 25, 2012

Epic. Fail.

I know a couple people in my tech class worked for AAA... that was the only reason they were taking the class. I should have asked for details!!

clmchrissy · Aug 26, 2012

Was that from AAA of Northern CA or Southern?

Eta: ugh!

its Northern NCNU my employer.

calihannah · Aug 26, 2012

clmchrissy said:
Was that from AAA of Northern CA or Southern?

Eta: ugh! its Northern NCNU my employer.

Thanks for all the ideas, folks. Yep, it's Northern CA AAA

julia94115 · Aug 26, 2012

I just read and noticed this same thing yesterday in my Via mag. :thumbsdown:

Fantastic that you're moving on it!!
Thanks!

calihannah · Aug 26, 2012

julia94115 said:
I just read and noticed this same thing yesterday in my Via mag. :thumbsdown:

Fantastic that you're moving on it!!
Thanks!

You should write, too! The more, the merrier

morninglori · Aug 27, 2012

I don't get the print mag, but the September/October 2012 online version has more current info. http://www.viamagazine.com/aaa-news-benefits/aaa-child-and-teen-auto-safety-services

Looks like maybe someone didn't double check the print copy closely...the bullet section headings are the same, but the text is different.

EmmaCPST · Aug 27, 2012

jjordan said:
There is a very small amount of good advice there.

What the heck is a AAA certified technician?!?

I guess, if you're writing a letter, it should at least address each of the glaring mistakes in the article. Maybe highlight the NHTSA seat progression (in contrast to the article's stages).

I'm a CPST and I'm employed by an AAA certified repair shop? Maybe it's me!!! lol

wendytthomas · Aug 27, 2012

AAA used to do certifications. I don't know when they stopped. Before I took my class six years ago. Safe Kids was and is the only option now. But maybe 10 years ago? Eight? Fifteen? I really don't know. Just "before" and "used to."

So there are AAA certified techs, those who are certified by Safe Kids who work for AAA, but none that AAA has certified recently.

Unless they're talking about the eight hour or two day "checker" classes? Not sure if AAA does those, but they're not certified technicians. Not sure what they are besides "checkers" and I've not heard great advice from them.

Wendy

Need help writing a letter to AAA Via magazine -- awful child safety advice

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