The most dangerous thing we do every day is drive a car. Over 1,200 children die and over 200,000 are injured every year in the U.S. in motor vehicle crashes. Many of these tragedies can be prevented. Simple steps can go a long way. Selection: Choose a seat that fits your child correctly. Most car seats start at 5 lbs or birth. Some state 4 lbs. If you are experiencing a high risk pregnancy and there is a chance of early labor, be sure to select a seat for lower birth weight. Size of Vehicle Matters: Vehicle Manufacturers design cars with the buyer in mind, not a child. Be sure to try the seat out in your vehicle before purchasing the product. Will there be enough room for the front seat passengers to sit back away from the air bags with a rear facing seat? Will it install properly? Money Matters:...

There are a lot of great products that we all need and love as a parent. For example, you purchased a car seat based on safety ratings. You got the perfect sling because you know a baby touching his mother creates a warm, soothing environment. Plus, it's easier on your back. You have a colicky baby so you're thankful for that awesome swing Aunt Betty gave you at your baby shower. These are great products, but did you know they could cause issues with your baby's health because of improper positioning? These issues can lead to hip dysplasia. To help prevent hip dysplasia, it is important for babies to be able to open up their hips naturally, especially during the first six months of life until their hips develop and their ligaments become stronger. Hip dysplasia occurs when the ball joint of the hip becomes permanently deformed. Sometimes this can go...

Zero Deaths, Zero Injuries Zero deaths, zero injuries. This is the goal of NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), Safe Kids Worldwide, American Academy of Pediatrics, everyone here at Diono, injury prevention organizations and safety advocates everywhere. How can we possibly meet such a goal? After all, there are over 1,200 children killed and over 200,000 injured every year in motor vehicle crashes. EVERY YEAR! Those are staggering numbers, and they are only for children from birth to 14. The stats rise far above those numbers for the teen years from 14 to 19.  As a CPS advocate, I have always said that if we can start them out properly restrained and educate them from an early age, the teen statistics will decline. Changing a Mind Set Doesn’t it drive you crazy when you’re trying to give someone advice on how to keep their kids safe and they respond either...

Becoming a new parent can be overwhelming. You need to deal with doctor appointments, keeping yourself and the baby healthy, shopping for all the latest and greatest baby stuff, watching your body change shape drastically, and preparing to do everything “right” for your bundle of joy. That’s a lot to occupy your mind, and it can be hard to juggle priorities. However, there’s no contest about the most important purchase you should make: your child’s car seat, also known as Child Restraint, Safety Seat, Bucket, Infant Seat, or Rear-facing Seat. Choosing and buying a car seat is a vitally important matter, so you might want to consider these points right away – they’ll give you information you need to make the right decisions. Start your “car seat fund” jar as soon as you get your happy news. This way, you can afford the car seat that you feel is the best...

It’s back-to-school season, a time when parents, children and school personnel have many things on their To-Do lists. In the rush of activity, it’s easy to overlook important considerations about child passenger safety. Here are a few things to keep in mind for your child’s safety, and for more harmonious relations with your school and carpool members. The most obvious one is to make sure that every child in the vehicle is properly secured. This is too often overlooked, especially when the school is nearby (“It’s just a few blocks — what could possibly go wrong?”), or there are multiple children in the car, or the driver is running late. Do not expect the teachers or staff in the carpool line to buckle or unbuckle your child, especially if they are in a 5-point harness. School employees are rightfully reluctant to be seen reaching between a child’s legs for any...