Only two blocks from home...how will you keep your child safe?

It is almost the two-year anniversary of my car accident, and, I still shudder when I think about it.

Driving home after an incredibly fun day with my 2-year old daughter, my car succombed to a severe mechanical malfunction and became a torpedo as we crashed into another car. Injured and losing consciousness, I dialed 911. I knew that I was hurt but I didn't care much about myself at that moment - - I was in a panic, unable to turn or see in the mirror to check on my daughter whom had previously been soundly sleeping behind me in her carseat.

As the police arrived, I screamed loudly for them to check on my baby - I yelled something along the lines of "don't look at me, check my daughter, please, check my baby." And, what happened next stunned me. One officer started laughing...and said "ma'am, your daughter is fine. A little shaken up, but perfectly fine. That carseat is in so solidly she wasn't going anywhere."

Really, you're kidding me...the carseat didn't move? She's in her seat? Solidly? As I was being removed from the vehicle with a separated shoulder, separated hip, fractured hand, concussion, and burns, I caught my first glimpse of my baby girl since the accident. She was, as he said, scared, but unharmed. ....miracle....

I can tell you one thing...I believe that her well-installed and properly used carseat saved her life. You see, I have always been "crazy" about carseat safety with my children. As an EMT for over 10 years, I had seen it all. I had days when I couldn't even come to grips with the fact that the tragedy I witnessed was a reality. I remember one of my first weeks on the job, Fred (the Paramedic I was working with) stopped a woman in another car as we were driving down the street and told her she needed to get her child in a carseat properly. The child, approximately 1 year old, was sitting in the seat, straps loose enough for him to climb out, and the seat was not secured to the vehicle. Young and naive, I just assumed everyone knew how important it was to do this. Two days later, we airlifted a small child that was ejected out of his carseat and subsequently out of the car. He had NOT been properly restrained in his carseat, nor was the seat installed correctly. And, in my young naive world, I had to face the reality that he was my first patient that didn't make it back home to his family.

In tragedy there are often lessons learned.

• Don't cut corners when it comes to safety. Even if you are late for the most important event of your life, ALWAYS take an extra moment to ensure your child is secure in their carseat properly.
• Don't assume it will never happen to you. Two blocks from my home, it happened to me...
• Do your homework. Know your car and carseat - the age/weight/height limits, laws, where to put what type of seat (rear-facing/forward-facing) and in what position in your car.
• Learn about LATCH and tether anchors. Don't just ignore them.
• Do your homework on the type of carseat that would be the best fit for your child and car.
• Remember: The most expensive or most popular seats may not be the best fit for your child. A carseat will not perform as it should if it isnt the correct fit for your child.
• Last but not least - find a "carseat check-up" or certified child passenger safety technician (CPST) to check the installation of your seat. I am so incredibly thankful that I had been a frequent visitor to the SafeKids carseat checks. Huge thanks, again, go out to those individuals that spend so much time making sure our children are safe. (Thanks, Gina and staff!)

For carseat safety tips or to locate a carseat check-up event (in the US), visit the Safe Kids USA website.

*Note: The information above is based on my personal experience and opinion only and is not to be used as an all-inclusive source record of carseat safety.

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