Two infants die in a hot car, two days in a row in Phoenix. Time
One federal study found that 72 percent of about 3,500 observed car seats and booster seats were misused in a way that could be expected to increase a child’s risk of injury during a crash.
Baptist Health is helping parents reduce that number that came from a 2006 federal traffic safety study, said Kadie Agnew, marketing coordinator for Baptist.
Starting Saturday, expectant parents or grandparents can learn about how to correctly use infant car seats, possibly saving lives or preventing injuries to loved ones. Classes are also scheduled for Feb. 10 and Mar. 10.
The classes will take place at the East Montgomery Imaging Center. An appointment is required.
The cost is $10, and participants must provide a car seat. For more information and to reserve your appointment, contact Mary Jane Waller, at smallwonders@baptistfirst.org.
Waller, Baptist Health’s maternal child educator, RN CCE, says that the classes are critical for families welcoming newborns.
“Parents often assume post-partum and nursery nurses will install and check their car seat for them. As much as our staff would love to help, we legally cannot say if it’s correctly installedwithout being a nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technician,” Waller said.
The nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technician was the missing piece for Baptist Health to be able to launch the training program. That is, until now.
Jennifer Kanz, a local mom of four, happened to connect with Baptist Medical Center East.
She was involved in a head-on collision in 2014 that changed her life and sparked a passion for car seat safety.
Two of her children were traveling with her that day and thankfully, they walked away from the accident with minimal injuries. Kanz says if it weren’t for proper car seat use, her children could have easily been killed.
Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened to the driver of the other vehicle, and his 2-year-old child.
Witnessing that tragic accident and knowing the roles could have been reversed caused a bit of guilt for Kanz, but she knew she had to find the good in it.
Kanz decided at that time to get certified as a Child Passenger Safety Technician. She spent months studying and then several days completing both written and hands-on testing.
As a nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, Kanz can provide one-on-one car seat installation sessions and safety checks.
At Baptist Health’s new program, she will be teaching proper use and correct installation of car seats, as well as checking car seats that are currently installed. The program will start Saturday.
Kanz says as car seat manufacturers continue to advance car seat technology, a the program is even more important.
“Even the car seats my children were in during our accident in 2014 are now considered out-dated and expired. That’s why I am constantly educating myself in order to pass along the most current information to parents,” she said.
According to the National Highway Traffic & Safety Administration, vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children in the U.S., Agnew said.
Child restraints or car seats reduce the risk of injury by 71 to 82 percent and reduce the risk of death by 28 percent in comparison to children in seat belts alone, the traffic safety administration said in 2012.
The program is open to all families, not just those who choose to deliver their babies at Baptist Medical Center East. And organizers encourage extended family members to participate as well.
“We recommend anyone who will be transporting the baby to participate in a car seat safety inspection. After all, it’s only $10 and takes about 30 minutes, yet it can be lifesaving,” Waller said.
At this time, the program is only available for infant car seats, but organizers plan to expand to children seats within the year.
“We suggest expectant moms complete their inspection early in their pregnancy. This allows plenty of time to get comfortable with the seat and gives you a peace of mind before you have other things to worry about,” Waller said. “Love begins at Baptist Medical Center East and we truly want it to continue as parents safely leave our hospital with their new babies.”