Kentucky’s new booster seat law has been in effect since last year but until now most law enforcement agencies have only issued warnings to offenders. Full enforcement with citations will begin July 1, 2009, and the Kentucky State Booster Seat Coalition is asking child care professionals to help us educate the public about this law.
Kentucky’s law requires children between 40 and 50 inches tall and who are younger than 7 to be properly restrained in a child booster seat. The fine will be $30, but a first offense can be waived if the offender shows evidence of purchasing a booster seat.
For optimal protection, children should remain in a booster seat until the seat belt fits them correctly, or approximately 4’9” tall and about 8 or 9 years of age. A high backed or backless booster may be used, but with a lap AND shoulder belt together.
View the pamphlets which have been designed by Safe Kids
and other transportation safety specialists in our state and help us with
an important education campaign that will prevent many injuries and deaths
to KY children.
Booster
Seat Law
Booster
Seat Law - Spanish
For more information about booster seats, call Therese Moseley, KY Booster
Coalition Chairperson at 859-260-6058, or Sherri Hannan, Fayette County
Safe Kids Coordinator at 859-323-1153.
Safe Kids raises
awareness and teaches families about prevention of all major causes of
accidental childhood injury. Accidental injuryis a leading killer of children
14 and under worldwide. Taking simple safety measures can prevent most
ofthese accidental injuries. This web site contains links to tips on keeping
children safe.
Close your eyes.
Picture your child’s room, your living room, your kitchen, or any room in your home.
What do you see?
You see your children’s toys!!
Toys are everywhere! When is the last time you checked to see if the newest
toy your child received had a recall? There is a wonderful website that
lists the toys and children’s items that havebeen recalled. This
site has information on what the toy or item is, a description, a picture,what
the danger is, any injuries,who to contact for additional information
on the toy or item and so much more.
You will want to see this for your
reference! www.cpsc.gov
Learn more about Safety Precautions for Your Home with
this easy to use checklist.
The Amercian Academy of Pediatrics
As a parent, you probably worry about the health and nutrition of your young child. Do you wonder when the next immunization will occur? Do you wonder what new vaccines are now available to your family? The American Academy of Pediatrics has a web site of information just for immunizations and vaccinations. There is information on the Avian Bird Flu and the current immunization schedule as well as information on vaccinations of preventable diseases.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Although the number of infants dying from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) has decreased over recent years, preliminary data from the National SIDS/Infant Death Resource Center show that in 2004 approximately 51% of infant deaths were connected to SIDS. The cause of SIDS is still unknown and there are many risk factors that have been linked with this incident that still causes the death of the very youngest children. The SIDS handout will help you be aware of the dangers of SIDS and things you can do at home as prevention techniques!
Cold and Flu Information
Flu and colds are both respiratory or breathing system infections that are caused by viruses. Because initial flu and cold symptoms are similar, it can be difficult to determine which you have. However, the flu tends to produce more serious illness than a cold.
Cold symptoms usually begin two to three days after infection by the virus and normally last two to seven days. The first symptom you may notice is a scratchy, sore throat followed by sneezing and a runny nose. Several days later you may develop a mild cough. While adults and children usually do not have a fever, infants and young children sometimes have temperatures up to 102°F.
If you have the flu, you develop a sudden headache and dry cough. You may also have a runny nose and a sore throat. You experience muscle aches, feel extremely tired, and may have a fever up to 104°F. While most people feel better in a couple of days, their tiredness and cough can last for two weeks or longer. Symptoms of nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting are uncommon with the flu, except in very young children.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, your best protection against the flu is to receive an annual flu shot. Vaccination is not recommended, however, for children younger than six months. In addition to vaccine, you can decrease your chances of getting the flu or a cold by washing your hands frequently and avoiding touching your eyes, mouth and nose. When you think about the frequency of respiratory illnesses each year (the average adult will get a respiratory illness 1-3 times a year and children even more), these preventive measures become more important.
Should you get the flu, it is recommended that you contact your health care provider. Additionally you should rest, drink lots of fluids, do not smoke tobacco or drink alcohol, and you may want to take medication designed to relieve the flu symptoms. It is important to remember, however, that because a virus causes flu, antibiotics will not cure it.
For more information, contact your health care professional or visit the Centers for Disease Control.
People don’t wake up in the morning and set out to hurt a child….it’s the everyday stress and the pressures that go along with the everyday tasks, which ultimately can result in abuse or neglect of children.
Prevention for Parents
Children ride their bikes all year long. Biking is not just for fun but is also a way of transportation. We would not think about riding in the car without our seat belt, but very often, parents think that children who only ride their bike in the driveway do not need a helmet. Biking can be very dangerous. There are rules of the road to know about and there are guidelines for purchasing a helmet that fits correctly.
Visit The Injury Prevention Program (tipp) about riding bicycles safely!