Oswego Health reminds parents of children under the age of eight of an important change to the child passenger safety law that takes effect November 24th.
The law, signed by Governor David Paterson in August, requires children under the age of eight to be restrained by a child restraint system in a motor vehicle. This new law takes the place of the current law, which requires children under the age of seven to be confined by a child restraint system.
“It’s a very important change in the law,†said Margaret Beers, Oswego Hospital emergency department clinical coordinator who is nationally certified as a child passenger safety technician and instructor. “Parents by adhering to the law are protecting their children from injuries in the event of a car crash.â€Â
An appropriate child restraint system is one which meets the child’s height and weight as recommended by the manufacturer. Depending on the size of the child, the restraint system may be a child passenger safety seat or a booster seat. The vehicle’s safety belts alone are not defined as a child restraint system.
A free car seat check can be provided by appointment by calling Beers at 349-5712.
In addition to the revised law, those passengers age 12 years and younger must ride in the backseat, and anyone riding in a car under the age of 16 who rides in either the front or back seats must wear a seat belt.
In 2008, more than 6,300 children under the age of nine were injured in car crashes in New York State. According to the national Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of unintentional injuries and deaths for children.
Oswego Healthcare system includes the Oswego Hospital, The Manor at Seneca Hill, a skilled nursing facility; Springside at Seneca Hill, a retirement living community; an urgent care center in Fulton, as well as health services centers in Mexico, Parish and now Phoenix. For more information, call (315) 349-5500 or visit oswegohealth.org.
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