What's New in Traffic Safety

 CPS Safety - The Dos and Don'ts of Keeping Kids Warm in Cars

Cold weather brings new challenges for child passenger safety.  While child restraints and seat belts are very effective at protecting children in crashes, anything bulky under the harness straps or behind the child may increase the child's risk of injury in a crash.  Although children may seem secure bundled up in thick jackets, blankets, bunting or snowsuits, these thick layers make it very hard to get the harness tight enough to protect the child in a crash.

Do

• Warm up the car before putting the child in, when possible.
• Dress the child in a reasonable amount of warm clothing (well-fitting and no thicker than polor fleece).
• Put a hat or hood, gloves and socks on the child.
• Put a blanket, jacket, or poncho on the child over the harness straps after the straps are buckled and tightened. 

Don't

• Dress the child in snowsuits, buntings, or other bulky clothing.
• Put blankets, buntings, or other warm child restraint liners/covers behind the child's back or head.  These are potentially unsafe and should only be used if allowed by the child safety seat manufacturer.
• Let the child wear thick, puffy jackets under the harness straps.
• Use heating pads or other heat sources between the child's body and the child safety seat.

**CPS Tech Update 2011** 

Traffic Safety Board

The next Broome County Traffic Safety Board Meeting will be held:
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 - 4:00 p.m.
Broome County Health Department
Conference Room A

Child Passenger Safety

NEW YORK STATE'S "NEW" CHILD RESTRAINT LAW
Child Passenger Restraints Are Not An Option, They Are The Law! 

For more information, please visit the NYS Governor’s Traffic Safety website at http://www.safeny.com/sesa-ndx.htm.

Broome County Child Passenger Safety Program

Broome County Fitting Stations provide FREE child safety seat inspections for families and caregivers as well as provide education and guidance on child passenger safety. We also provide FREE replacement child safety seats in the event a seat is expired, recalled or deemed unsafe. 

Upcoming Events

Newsletters

2012

February/March 2012 Issue - Cold Weather and Child Passenger Safety 

December 2011/January 2012 Issue - Seat Belts Save Lives

Engineering   -   Education   -   Enforcement

Christine Muss
Traffic Safety Program Coordinator
Broome County Health Department
225 Front Street
Binghamton, NY 13905
Phone: 607.778.2807
Fax: 607.778.3998
Email: cmuss@co.broome.ny.us

Craig Whitten
Highway Safety Representative
Governor's Traffic Safety Committee
6 Empire State Plaza
Room 414, Albany, NY 12228
Phone: 518-486-6718
Fax: 518.473.6946
Email: cwhit@dmv.state.ny.us
www.safeny.org