On This Page

• Five Ways Child Occupant Restraints Prevent Injury
• Multidisciplinary Team Approach
• Restraint Selection Factors
• Restraint Options
• Adding Extras

Safe Transportation

• Many factors impact how a child and family travel
  • Medical diagnoses
  • Physical challenges
  • Behavioral challenges

• Safe access to services and communities important for all children
  • MD appts/Therapy appts/Hospital appts
  • Family destinations
  • Preferred outings – birthdays/play dates/etc.

Five Ways Child Occupant Restraints Prevent Injury

1. Prevent ejection
2. Allows the body to ride down with vehicle
3. Contacts the strongest body parts
4. Distribute forces over most extensive area
5. Protects head, neck, and spinal cord

Multidisciplinary Team Approach

A multidisciplinary approach must be utilized to involve the patient, caregivers, family, child’s medical team, child passenger safety technicians, schools, social workers, durable medical equipment (DME) vendors, etc.

Restraint Selection Factors

• Size and age
• Medical diagnoses or procedures
• Positioning requirements during travel:
  • Flat? On stomach? On back?
  • Side lying?
  • Bend at hips?
  • Sit unsupported?
• Optimal safety and positioning
• Availability and/or affordability of restraints
• Family vehicles
• Other occupants
• Family choices

Restraint Options

• Conventional or Adaptive restraints
  • Conventional always first
  • Rear-Facing as long as possible
• Never modify structure of restraint to make it fit child
  • Modifications impact safety
• Always read and follow instructions for restraint and vehicle

Adding Extras

• No unapproved products or non-regulated products
• Compromise integrity of car seat
• Voids warranty of car seat
• Impacts safety and overall performance of car seat
• ONLY exception:
  • Accessories made for specific model of car seat approved by car seat manufacturer