See which masks are being recalled and what you should do if you have one.

Verifica cuáles mascarillas están siendo retiradas y qué debes hacer si tienes una.

Travel via motor vehicle is a common part of life not just for a lot of adults, but many kids too. Whether you are driving your children to school, taking them to a sports game or heading on a road trip, going from point A to B by car offers families a chance to catch up or even play some fun travel games.

However, while road trips can provide opportunities for bonding and fun, they also can be dangerous.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among children age 12 and younger, and in 2020, an average of three children were killed and 380 were injured in traffic crashes every day.

“Children are more at risk for injury in car crashes than adults because their bodies are much smaller and more fragile,” says pediatrician Lauren McCrillis, DO, “When selecting a car or booster seat, the most important thing is choosing one that is appropriate for your child’s age, weight, height and development levels,” , with Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital. “In addition to driving safely, parents and guardians should also make sure children are properly secured in age-appropriate car or booster seats before every trip they take. If an accident occurs, the proper restraints can be the difference between life and death.”

To help protect the children in your life during Child Passenger Safety Week and beyond, McCrillis shares everything you should know about car safety for kids:

“When selecting a car or booster seat, the most important thing is choosing one that is appropriate for your child’s age, weight, height and development levels,” McCrillis says. “Before installing the seat, you should read through both the seat’s installation manual and your vehicle owner’s manual to make sure you are comfortable with each step.”

If you are unsure how to select the appropriate car or booster seat or if you would like to find a certified child passenger safety technician to teach you how to install one or check your installation, you can visit the PA Traffic Injury Prevention Project’s website for these and other resources.

Once your child’s car or booster seat has been installed, practice putting them into it ahead of your first ride to lessen stress and ensure you are doing so correctly.

“It can take time to learn how to appropriately secure your child in their car or booster seat, so I always recommend parents do a few test runs well before they hit the road,” McCrillis says. “Be sure to review the instructions that come with your car and booster seat, and if needed, provide your child with a toy or snack to distract them while you are practicing.”

“Taking these small steps and being aware of our surroundings can make a big difference in the safety of our tiniest travelers,” says McCrillis.

©2022 Lehigh Valley Health Network