Why is there not much education out there?

I am pretty anal when it comes to my children't car seats being VERY tight, etc, but I know people who don't even know how to install a car seat properly or it is just not important to them because they are not educated on it.

I am just frustrated w/ the fact that there isn't a lot of info out there (unless you are trying to get it) about car seat safety. I don't know who should be doing it, but maybe Doctors offices should be giving out info. I know mine have never said ONE thing about car seat safety.
 
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BookMama

Senior Community Member
There is plenty of opportunity for people to get educated about their car seats. :) All they need to do is start with reading their car seat manuals and the child restraint portion of their vehicle manuals. If they did that thoroughly, they'd know 90% of what we teach them at seat checks. :twocents:

That said, as far as education campaigns and that kind of thing, there just isn't a ton of funding. And doctors often aren't up to date on car seat safety.

Edited to add: These "read the manual" comments aren't directed at the OP.
 
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I'm not talking about just installing them properly, I'm talking about knowing when to move to a different seat, what the weight limits, etc are, what the laws are, etc. Heck I am still learning myself, I am just shocked when I see other people's car seats and talk to them and they know NOTHING!!!!!!!!!! Yeah I'm sure part of it is just laziness or not caring, but I honestly beleive some of it is that people just have no clue.
 

BookMama

Senior Community Member
Well, you won't find each state's law in the car seat manuals, but that's pretty easy to find elsewhere. :)

However, if parents would just read their manuals and follow them carefully, it would prevent most of the misuse that we see, such as -

- seat belt not locked
- car seat installed too loosely
- harness straps too loose
- harness straps too low/too high
- child in outgrown seat
- wrong beltpath
- car seat in wrong direction
- booster used w/lap-only belt

Again, I'm not picking on the OP. :) But you have to understand how frustrating it is to see SO MUCH misuse - I believe the statistic is that 80% of car seats have some misuse, though I see 100% misuse :eek: at my seat checks - when the information is so easily accessible in the car seat manual and vehicle manual. :twocents:

I would love to see more education out there. My state (Michigan) just passed a new booster law, and there is supposedly an educational component to it. I'm all for it, and am happy for the opportunity to talk to people about boosters specifically and car seat safety in general.
 

Adventuredad

New member
I've found that car seat safety in general has a lot to do with habits, tradition, and government involvement. I've done between 40-50 flights with my two young kids and brought their rf Britax Hi-Way on each trip. This includes locations like Europe, Mexico, and North America. I've never met one single person who even knew about car seats possibly being rear faced after 12 months (outside of Sweden). NOT ONE FRIGGIN TIME. Drives me crazy. Everyone, including US , keeps telling me I've installed my seats the wrong way. That would be hilarious if it wasn't so sad.

This stuff has to be taught early and I think it has a lot to do with general education which is poor in many places. I notice that over here in Sweden. Parents are told about car seat safety constantly. Papers, TV, pre-natal classes, doctors, etc. The information is everywhere to put it mildly. Plus, it's certainly easier to go RF when most seats are made that way.

But forget about RF for a moment, installing a seat the correct way is not difficult but there are lots of sloppy parentse who think it doesn't really matter.

I've spend long periods down in Mexico and this is my nightmare. 99%, rich or poor, does NOT use a car seat. THey think it's perfectly acceptable to hold a baby in the lap. If they crash in 40 mph they believe they can simply hold the baby a little tighter and it will be fine. As I walk by the private schools I see well off parents picking up their kids and they are all hanging out the window without even a seatbelt. My wife has to restrain me so I don't tell people how stupid they are. My BIL started FF her daughter at 7 months in the crappiest car seat imaginable. They only got a car seat since I wouldn't stop nagging about it. So frustrating.

It's difficult to change opinions in people. I know a latin girl here who put her 2 year old in a booster without the back. Just with a normal seat belt. I showed her videos and explained everything to her. She still wouldn't change it despite being able to afford it.

It all comes down to priority. Car seat safety is not a priority in 99.5 of the world's countries despite being taking lives of many kids. If it's not a priority, it won't change opinions of the overall population.

Sorry about my rant, this stuff really gets to me.
 

Chris920

New member
I agree with OP. Massive education efforts are needed. We tell people don't drink and drive, don't smoke, buckle up, put on a helmet to ride your BIKE down the street. There should be pamphets in Drs offices, hospitals, esp. in that freebie diaper they usually give out, and ....WALMART! It would benefit them, could we get them on board?
I want to see crash videos of unbelted/improperly restrained children in my children's drivers ed course. It is drivers that need to be educated, what better time than drivers ed. No, they aren't parents yet but a crash video will stick in their head and it's better to teach people ahead of time.
No, there isn't any funding, but who stands to gain the most from car seat education? Aside from parents and children, INSURANCE COMPANIES! Could we get them on board too??
Child passenger safety is an education issue, not a legislative one. When we invite the government into the parental jurisdiction arena, we open the doors to a Trojan horse.

ps. the manual issue is very valid, just totally different than what the op seemed to have in mind.

edit: was writing while Adventuredad was posting. Sorry to be redundant.
 

Adventuredad

New member
A little side not is that one of the insurance companies over here, Folksam, does some really fantastic research on child car safety. The show some crash test videos and lots of great advice for children 0-10 years old. This might be in their own interest I guess but I must tell you it doesn't come across that way while reading it. It does give me a rally nice feeling though.

Education is probably most important. Front facing isn't even discussed here until 3-4 years old. It's almost like it's not an option. It's really cool (if you're into car seat porn of course):D
 

christineka

New member
I did get a pamphlet from the hospital stating that 80 percent of car seats were installed and used incorrectly. I knew I was smart and was doing everything correct. I skimmed the manuals, though until I finally was coaxed by free stuff to go to a car seat check. Now I know how little I knew before.

I think commercials are the best way to get to people. (Not me, because I don't watch tv, but I think most people do. For me- the promise of free stuff will get me to come.)

Christine
 

jwren

New member
Funny you mention this cause I just got a brochure about a bike and carseat safety day coming to our local school. Unfortunately it's the same time as my son's t-ball game...but they are now calling for rain so I may be able to go by and check it out..I'm not too worried because I already know the lady from the safekids.. and I can go to her anytime if I need her to check my new seat.. my point is I am glad that they are sort of promoting this now, I have been complaining about this very issue to my sons peditricains and to the local carseat safety locations. Maybe they are getting enough requests to make it a reality.. we all need education on this.. especially those that don't know any better. :) Lucky for me I had two preemies so I was trained early on about carseats... they wouldn't let you take them home until you passed a carseat test.. I think all babies should have to do that.. why just preemies..

I honestly think the doctors office would be the best bet, as we all take our kids there so it should be a handout automatically given at all ages of childhood, maybe an updated one for each birthday..:)
 

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