“Hispanics and African American children are 10 times less likely to be properly restrained in a vehicle.” (Source: American Journal of Preventative Medicine.)
When I read that statistic, my first thought was… not another statistic telling me that I am doing something wrong as an African American parent. But, then I did what I always do. I dug deeper to understand what organization is putting out this statistic, who were the people surveyed, and what is their motive for sharing this statistic. I don’t blindly dismiss or agree with statistics without first doing my homework. And what I found out made me change my actions (immediately) as they pertain to securing my children properly in our vehicles.
I became aware of this statistic via the information that is shared by the Buckle Up for Life program. This program was started by Toyota and the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center to educate families to help keep child passengers safe. And since starting in 2004, they’ve reached more than 17,000 people in 11 cities. Toyota has provided funding to give away 40,000 child car seats to families in need. So, what’s their motive? It’s to make a tangible difference. They want to make child passenger safety a priority, every day… for everyone… in all communities.
Another thing that came to my attention via their site, is that I really was not properly securing our 3 youngest kids in our cars. And via the tools and resources that they made available, I was able to make the proper changes and educate my entire family on child passenger safety. The other day I heard my 12 year old daughter tell her Grandma that she could no longer ride in the front seat with her. Because through the Buckle Up For Life program, we learned that kids 12 and under should not sit in the front seat. I was smiling ear to ear when I heard that she really grasped the concepts and that she was following them, even when I was not around.
Buckle Up For Life is now celebrating their 10 year anniversary. And to help them celebrate and spread the word about child passenger safety, we will be giving away 5 Evenflo Car Seats to our BMWK readers.
Prize Description:
5 lucky winners will win one Evenflo car seat each. The car seats will be matched to the child, so the winner will need to provide the child’s age and weight. Depending on the child’s age and weight, the winner will receive one of the following:
A Convertible car seat: this type of car seat can be used from birth up to 55 lbs and it can be installed rear and forward facing
A Booster seat: these type of seats are for older children who have outgrown their regular forward facing car seat but still haven’t reached the height of 4 feet, nine inches.
How to Enter:
Follow the instructions below. There is one mandatory step to enter. All others are optional and give you additional chances to win. Please be sure to read the terms and conditions as this giveaway is for US residents only.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post brought to you by Toyota. I have partnered with them to spread the word about the Buckle Up for Life program. For more information on child passenger safety, visit https://buckleupforlife.org . All opinions and stories are my own.
We make sure that the tether/seat belt are still attached and make sure that the buckle is latched and that the chest clip is were it is suppose to be.
I always pull on the harness to make sure it’s tight and my babies are safely secured in there.
My kids are always buckled in their car seats.
I put them in there car seats and make sure that the belt is not loose and adjust it if I need too.
I put the two year old in his seat. And do a visual check of the 9 year old.
I buckle my kids in myself.
We always make sure the baby is secure in his seat. Also, we have someone sitting in the back with the baby too.
My daughter does her own carseat up so I always double check her work before getting into the car!
I always double check the harness!
I always double check the 5 point harness and also pull on the strap that connects the base to make sure it hasn’t come undone.
I probably triple check everything…just a wee bit paranoid.
make sure carseats are buckled and in correct.
I double check every time just to make sure
I check that the buckle is secured and that the car seat is not loose. Those are the main 2, sometimes I check that the straps are thigh.
I double check to make sure they’re buckled in correctly & securely.
I ask if every one is buckled, and then I say “let me see”
I always check before I drive off.
I check to make sure all seats and buckles are secure!
Yes I always check
We just have one little in a convertible carseat right now so mom or dad must buckle her in appropriately every car ride.
I put her in the rear facing car seat
I do a double check in the mirror
Love the blog and love the car seat!!
I always triple and double check that everything is secure and i often check to make sure things are in working order!
I always double check they are secured before I get in the car, and then, once I’m in the driver’s seat, I verify I can see them in my rear-view, and do another visual check via the mirror to make sure they are completely done up nd straps are where they should be!
I always double check the car seat to make sure everything is good.
Make sure they have sit belt on properly!
I check, double check, triple check. Thank you
make sure everyone is properly buckled in
I have three boys. I always make sure I cant fit too many fingers under the harness and tighten it if it seems loose. I double check before I take off that I’ve locked everyone in securely! Thank you for the opportunity to win.
Make sure seat belt is tight on older kids & my little one’s 5 point harness is snug and make sure clip is across chest in right position.
We have a callout system, and when everyone is done buckling in their row..they call out “Row 3 done!” and so on.
Works well for us. They all know that the car does not move until everyone is buckled up.
The older kids help those that cannot do their seats by themselves
I check the tightness of the straps and the location of the clip.
I usually ask, “Is everyone here and buckled” before pulling out of the driveway.
I have a checklist after buckling the harness where I make sure the click plate is at her chest, both arms are still through the straps :), that she has a toy and a binkie and then I tug a bit on the seat to make sure it’s still strapped into the car securely.
I double check everything before leaving the drive way!
I always make sure the seat belt that holds the car seat is tight.
boylaneely at hotmail dot com
I don’t have kids yet, but expecting one on the way. I know car seat safety is SO important!
Always make sure they are buckled in tight!
Before driving off, I make sure all the car seats are properly installed and that the kids are securely resting in their car seats. With the little ones, I always check the car seats and for those not in a car seat, I check to make sure their belts are fastened and pulled snug.
I always check to make sure straps are tight and chest clips are at armpit level before we go anywhere.
The pinnacle 90!
My child is currently awaiting to be released from the hospital and is 1 pound 10 oz. I will always assure that his car seat is secured and properly tightened.
always check on the straps and anchors, as well as keep an eye on via the mirrors.
I make sure that the harness is secure and positioned right, and I make sure that there is no sliding of the car seat.
I make sure all the clips are done on her carseat, and the bar is across her chest bone. I always test to be sure the straps are at the right tightness, also.
I always make sure that my child is properly restrained.
Always check the seat buckles, the carseat buckles, and any dangerous objects (i.e. scissors or any other sharp objects in the car)
I make sure they are sitting properly and that the seatbelt is fitted correctly