Car Safety
Your child’s safety when riding in an automobile is of great importance to us. At Irvine Pediatrics, we would like to help equip you with as much helpful information as possible to ensure that your child remains safe and protected. According to the Center for Disease Control, injuries suffered in automobile accidents are the greatest public health concern and the leading cause of death in children. These concerns can easily be alleviated through the use of proper child restraints.
Today’s parents have many choices when choosing child restraints. The age and size of your child will determine the most appropriate child restraint. From birth to age 8, children should be secured in the appropriate child restraint, preferably in the back seat, while riding in an automobile. After age 8, children should stay in a child restraint until an adult seat belt fits properly and securely. Just as seat belts and air bags save many adult lives each year, the same is true for children who are secured in proper child restraints.
For premature babies or low birth-weight babies, an infant care bed is the appropriate child restraint.
From birth to 20 pounds, or for the first year, a rear-facing infant restraint is appropriate.
From 20 to 40 pounds, or for children ages 1 to 4 years of age, a forward facing child restraint is appropriate.
From 40 to 80 pounds, or for children ages 4 to 8 years of age, a booster seat is the appropriate child restraint.
For more information on specific car seats, click on the following link: www.aap.org
POISON CONTROL
It is important to have the number for Poison Control easily accessible in the event of an emergency. If your child experiences an accidental ingestion of a potential poison, please call Poison Control immediately using the following number: 1-800-222-1222.
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS
At Irvine Pediatrics, we believe that safety is of paramount importance in raising a happy, healthy child. In addition to the helpful safety information provided on our website, please refer to www.AAP.org, the official website for the American Academy of Pediatrics, where you can download a variety of pamphlets with information on how to provide a safe environment for your child. Also check out www.ockeepkidssafe.org for even more helpful information on how to keep your child safe at every age.