Special event hosted by AAA, Banner Health highlights child passenger safety
Three out of four car seats are installed incorrectly
We just really want to make sure our kids are safe out there and car seats are essential to making that happen

Contact: Aldo Vazquez, AAA (623) 707-5609
media@bannerhealth.com

 

PHOENIX (Nov. 11, 2019) — AAA Arizona and Banner Health are partnering up to help keep your kids safe while riding in the car. Car inspections are incredibly important as research shows three out of four car seats are installed incorrectly. When properly installed child car seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2010 171,000 kids were injured in a car crash and more than 1,2000 died in car crashes. To help caregivers better understand their child car seats, AAA Arizona’s nationally certified child passenger safety technicians offer free car seat inspections/installations year-round but will be participating in a special event in Mesa (See event details below). This service is provided to everyone and anyone year-round by visiting a AAA branch.   

“We are committed to ensuring caregivers are confident knowing their children are safe and secure because their car seats have been properly installed,” said Aldo Vazquez, AAA Arizona spokesperson. “That’s why AAA Arizona is proud to be part of the solution to make inspections by certified technicians available to the public for free year-round.”

"We just really want to make sure our kids are safe out there and car seats are essential to making that happen,'' said Tracey Fejt, trauma-prevention outreach coordinator. Fejt helps manage pedtratric safety programs at Cardon Children's Medical Center, Banner – Universtiy Medical Center Phoenix and Banner Thunderbird Medical Center.

AAA is also making caregivers aware of five common mistakes made when installing car seats:

  • Don’t move children out of booster seats too soon. Seat belts are designed to fit adults and improper usage can result in head, neck, or spine injuries. Caregivers should keep children in booster seats until a seat belt fits them properly.

  • Ensure the car seats are secured properly. If the seat belt or lower anchor connection is too loose, car seats will not stay put, subjecting a child to greater crash forces. Children’s car seats should not move side-to-side or front-to-back more than one inch when tested at the belt path.

  • Properly tighten harness straps. If harnesses are too loose, children will not be properly restrained in the event of a crash. Harness straps should lay flat and not have any twists. Be sure the harness is snug enough that you cannot pinch any extra harness material at a child’s shoulder.

  • Place the retainer clip at armpit level. When a retainer clip is too low, a child can come out of the harnesses, or the hard, plastic clip can cause abdominal injuries. Always place the retainer clip at armpit level.

  • Don’t turn children forward-facing too soon. When a child rides rear-facing, the head, neck, and spine are all supported by the hard shell of the car seat. Children should remain in a rear-facing car seat as long as possible, until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their seat.

 

More info on car seats from Banner safety experts

Event: AAA & Banner Health Car Seat Inspection Event

Date: Nov. 13, 2019

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Place: AAA Mesa Branch, 4126 E. Valley Auto Drive Mesa, AZ, 85206

***By appointment only: (602) 241-3917

AAA will be providing free car seat inspections/installations.


About AAA Arizona

AAA has a proud history of serving Members for over 100 years. AAA is on a mission to create Members for life by unleashing the innovative spirit of 4,000 employees representing 6 million Members across Northern California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming and Alaska. In addition to legendary roadside assistance, AAA offers home, auto and life insurance, and extraordinary travel services. According to Via Magazine's Smart Guide, being a AAA Member can save you more than $1,200 a year. Learn more at AAA.com.

About Banner Health

Headquartered in Arizona, Banner Health is one of the largest nonprofit health care systems in the country. The system owns and operates 28 acute-care hospitals, Banner Health Network, Banner – University Medicine, academic and employed physician groups, long-term care centers, outpatient surgery centers and an array of other services; including Banner Urgent Care, family clinics, home care and hospice services, pharmacies and a nursing registry. Banner Health is in six states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming. For more information, visit www.BannerHealth.com.