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12:40:52 |
Webmama_Tina |
ok today we are so happy to have
stephanie tombrello with us as our
expert....here's some info on stephanie.... |
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12:41:52 |
Webmama_Tina |
Stephanie M. Tombrello, L.C.S.W., has
been active in the field of child
passenger safety since 1970. She
originated the Child Safety Project of
Women for Political and Social Action in
1972 in Pasadena, CA. She has
participated in development of both the
technical and program aspects of the
field and has been instrumental in major
changes in government regulations,
including HR 4616, to expand funding for
child passenger safety nationwide. She
successfully petitioned for regulation
changes mandating shoulder/lap belts in
outboard rear-seating positions in all
cars and light trucks sold in the US
since December 1989. She served on the
National Blue Ribbon Panel on Child
Restraint & Vehicle Compatibility, and
is a nationally certified Child
Passenger Safety Technician-Instructor.
Recently, she provided support for newly
enacted federal legislation to improve
testing of safety seats and resources
for parents. Ms. Tombrello is recognized
as an outstanding expert in the realm of
child/ car safety, and has received
numerous awards for her activism over
the years. She has also participated in
establishing and developing three
currently functioning non-profit
organizations: Wellmet Project, Inc., a
Massachusetts halfway house for formerly
hospitalized psychiatric patients,
founded in 1960; The Children's Center
at Caltech, a child care center founded
in 1972; and SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A.,
founded in 1980. Please join Stephanie
for a general chat on car seat safety. |
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12:42:52 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
Shall I lead with a few principles? |
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12:43:52 |
Webmama_Tina |
anything you want to add to that intro
stephanie? |
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12:44:52 |
Webmama_Tina |
sure that would be great, thanks
stephanie! |
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12:45:52 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
The intro is fine, of course. For
detail, go to www.carseat.org BUT here
goes with the most key messages. |
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12:46:52 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
When pregnant, wear your belt properly.
If you are in a crash, check on having
24-hour fetal monitoring because it is
hard to recognize placental abruption. 5
x as many fetuses are lost from car
crashes than |
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12:47:52 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
kids in the first year of life. |
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12:48:52 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
2: Rear facing is the best way to ride.
One's protection is demoted as one grows
older and larger. Take your time with
your child. |
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12:49:52 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
Today, all convertibles are certified to
at least 30 lbs. rear facing. |
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12:50:52 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
Plan to keep your child rear facing for
at least 18-24 months. Rear facing is
the best way to survive both frontal and
side impacts, the most common and the
most fatal types. |
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12:51:52 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
#3 Plan on using a seat with a full
5-point harness for as long as possible.
Use the top tether strap to give best
protection for your child by keeping the
child's head farther back. |
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12:52:52 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
Today, there are many more options for
products that are certified above 40
lbs. with a full harness. Consider them.
Check out flyers at carseat.org on the
details. Under Helpful Handouts, #627 &
#650. |
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12:53:52 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
Next, once your child is in a booster,
keep the youngster there until he/she
can pass the 5-Step Test, flyer #630 and
also there is a video on the site. |
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12:54:52 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
The back seat is the better seat: the
latest research shows it is the place
for kids until they are 15 and beginning
to learn to drive. Now enough of my
principles and on with your concerns.
And obviously, use the restraint you
choose every time--correctly |
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12:55:52 |
SandraMort |
I live in NYC and don't currently have
a car. I have a 70 lb 8 year old, a 45
lb 5 year old and a 20something lb 21
month old. What, if any, portable
options are available for taxi use?
I've heard mixed reviews ont he vests
and can't guarantee working |
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12:56:56 |
SandraMort |
shoulder harnesses in taxis. |
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12:59:25 |
SandraMort |
When I buy a new car, I want THREE five
point harnesses for it, but right now,
my hatchback only has room for a little
booster for the 8 year old |
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13:00:13 |
Webmama_Tina |
hi mamas! we're going to get started
here in just a minute |
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13:00:17 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
Good question. And of course, not an
easy one to manage if you use cabs a
lot. I would suggest first, check out
the 5-Step Test for your oldest. If he
passes, at least in many cabs, that
youngster can use the shoulder-lap belt.
Otherwise, 2 light weight |
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13:01:20 |
SandraMort |
I don't think she's tall enough in the
legs for it. |
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13:01:25 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
backless boosters or 2 Ride Safer Vests
for those vehicles that have shoulder
belts are a start. With the Ride Ryte,
one can get a tethered harness. It will
work in vehicles made from '99 on. The
Vests don't |
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13:01:26 |
SandraMort |
And no, we don't use taxis at *all* |
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13:01:44 |
SandraMort |
Backless boosters don't work for the 5
yo, he squirms too much |
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13:01:55 |
SandraMort |
Plus they're too big to carry. |
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13:02:44 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
need tethers UNLESS there are no
shoulder belts--that gives some
flexibility as one can use them with the
tethers when there is no shoulder belt.
It is mandatory to have shoulder-lap
belts in all outboard positions in back
since 12/89-'91, depending on whe |
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13:03:04 |
SandraMort |
Lots of older cabs, though :( |
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13:03:40 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
ther passenger vehicles or vans. For the
youngest, rear facing is recommended
until the child cannot no longer use the
convertible seat rear facing. That means
for all on the market today, 30-35 lbs.
One to consider is the Sit n Stroll. |
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13:04:02 |
SandraMort |
*nod* He'll fit in that for a good long
time. |
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13:04:08 |
SandraMort |
What about height, though? |
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13:04:10 |
SandraMort |
He's almost two |
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13:04:31 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
Back to the wiggler. Consider the vest;
also in most vehicles w/shoulder-lap
belts, the belt can be locked on the
child by pulling out the shoulder belt
from the top completely and then letting
it ratchet back. |
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13:04:52 |
SandraMort |
Is it difficult to attach quickly? Cabs
don't like to sit and wait |
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13:05:18 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
Height: for rear facing the issue is
head level: you need at least an inch of
space to the top of the plastic shell.
The heights listed on seats are standing
heights and not very useful for making
these decisions. |
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13:05:57 |
SandraMort |
Sorry, I meant torso height, I know... I
just meant is it likely to fit a toddler
tthat old |
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13:06:00 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
Every piece of equipment takes time to
find friendly. But I think you can
insist the cabbie wait as it is the
law. |
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13:06:20 |
SandraMort |
I haven't used one before, I don't know
how t hey're sized |
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13:06:36 |
SandraMort |
Heh. Law shmaw, this is NYC. |
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13:06:49 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
The way to tell is to measure your
child's torso and then the back of the
safety seat--if you can't just put the
youngster in it for a test. |
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13:07:00 |
SandraMort |
Well, sure, but I have to BUY it to do
that :) |
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13:07:27 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
I know NYC--I lived nearby for my
formative years! Yes, it is a challenge
but of course, New Yorkers are able to
be effective. |
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13:07:45 |
SandraMort |
Most people I know don't bother with
carseats in taxis |
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13:08:31 |
SandraMort |
I don't have a Sit and stroll to
measure, that's why I was asking. |
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13:08:45 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
Actually, for some items that are sold
on the Web only--sure. But you can ask
for measurements. Otherwise, I wouldn't
deal with any retailer that won't let
the seat be fitted to the vehicle/child.
Each retailer needs a way to manage
that--return policy or |
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13:08:55 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
guidance in store. |
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13:09:06 |
SandraMort |
Yes, I was going to get it online, no
car to go pick the thin up :) |
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13:09:37 |
Jwebbal |
I have the height measurement for sit
and stroll |
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13:10:12 |
Jwebbal |
top slot height is 14 inches |
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13:10:35 |
SandraMort |
Jweb - that's from the bottom of his
seated butt to the top of the seat? |
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13:10:38 |
Jwebbal |
back height is 22.5 |
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13:10:45 |
Jwebbal |
yes |
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13:10:46 |
SandraMort |
Ahhh, ok. |
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13:10:48 |
SandraMort |
Excellent. |
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13:10:53 |
SandraMort |
Thank you. And weiht max is? |
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13:10:56 |
SandraMort |
WEIGHT |
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13:11:01 |
Jwebbal |
sorry stephanie |
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13:11:07 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
For rear facing the issue is the height
of the plastic shell. |
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13:18:11 |
Webmama_Tina |
ok sandra did we get your question
completely answered already? |
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13:18:28 |
Webmama_Tina |
and mamas, throw out your question mark
if you want to be in line to ask a
question please |
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13:18:46 |
SandraMort |
Mmm... I think so... I'lll have to go
back and check the transcripts later
after we've slept. I have another
question after other people have a
turn. Don't wanna be a hog. Feel free
to stick me in when there's time :) |
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13:18:52 |
Webmama_Tina |
i have a question a friend of mine asked
me to ask...so we can start with that |
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13:19:11 |
Webmama_Tina |
i think you kind of answered it already
stephanie, but want to clarify...for
rear facing... |
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13:19:28 |
elijahsethsmom |
? |
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13:19:42 |
Webmama_Tina |
she keeps her children rear facing as
long as possible, as you suggested...and
wanted to know if it is true that you
HAVE to turn them forward facing once
the top of their heads are one inch
below the top of the car seat? |
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13:19:56 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
Yes. |
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13:20:01 |
Webmama_Tina |
she has a 4 yr old forward facing and a
1yr old rear facing |
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13:20:20 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
The reason is that when a seat is rear
facing, it is permitted to rotate up to
70 degrees. The harness is |
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13:20:50 |
Webmama_Tina |
current chatter: Webmama_Tina
...upcoming chatters: elijahsethsmom |
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13:20:57 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
placed at or BELOW shoulder level to
help keep the child low in the safety
seat. However, if the child's head is
closer than an inch to the top, it will
lead the crash--exactly what one doesn't
want. |
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13:21:19 |
Webmama_Tina |
good to know |
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13:21:39 |
Webmama_Tina |
i have some questions myself...but i
will get in line behind
elijahsethsmom... you're up mama! |
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13:21:49 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
Also when a child has head control
and/or can sit, the safety seat can be
made more upright to accommodate the
youngster's comfort and also to start
from a higher vantage point when in a
crash, the seat will rotate forward and
down. |
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13:22:00 |
Webmama_Tina |
current chatter: elijahsethsmom
...upcoming chatters: Webmama_Tina :) |
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13:22:02 |
elijahsethsmom |
My ds is almost 7 yrs, 52 lbs, i have
him in a booster w/o a back, should i
get one with the backing? |
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13:22:12 |
Webmama_Tina |
thank you stephanie...that's very good
to know |
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13:22:41 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
The jury isn't in yet. Initially, we
considered backless better because the
child was farther back, flush w/the
vehicle seat. |
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13:23:06 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
Next, we got some results that indicated
that boosters w/backs were linked with
better outcomes. |
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13:23:27 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
However, the researcher, who has her
kids in backless boosters, says she
thinks the result might have been an
artifact |
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13:23:36 |
elijahsethsmom |
ok |
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13:23:37 |
SandraMort |
Isn't the child's ability to sit still
also part of the equation? We left my
son in a hacked booster because it
helped him sit still better. |
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13:23:49 |
SandraMort |
Without the sides, he was leaning over
into my daighter's lap |
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13:23:57 |
SandraMort |
WHich is certainly not safe. |
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13:24:13 |
SandraMort |
BACKED, not hacked. *blush& |
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13:24:23 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
of the small number of backless boosters
in the sample and also the proper
positioning of the belt. If the belt
isn't locked on the child, especially
one of the younger users, it is more
likely that the belt won't be in the
proper location. |
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13:24:46 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
Yes, the description of the lolling
child fits with not having the belt
locked. |
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13:25:36 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
There is more trouble with Chrysler
products that don't have belts that lock
to the top of the shoulder belt; but
even with them, the lap belt locks. Now
remember, I'm talking about cars since
model year '96. |
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13:26:23 |
Webmama_Tina |
ack i'm sorry...i forgot to turn off the
ins and outs |
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13:26:34 |
rugbymom |
hey tina |
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13:26:36 |
SandraMort |
Sorry! |
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13:26:59 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
Have I missed something while typing? |
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13:27:00 |
Webmama_Tina |
ok its off now...anyone that would
prefer to not have the ins and outs
distracting them, hit refresh and then
log back in :) |
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13:27:12 |
Webmama_Tina |
nope you're doing great stephanie! |
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13:27:24 |
Jwebbal |
? |
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13:27:25 |
rugbymom |
hey tina, guess what |
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13:27:29 |
Webmama_Tina |
does that answer your question
elijahsethsmom? |
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13:27:41 |
elijahsethsmom |
yes |
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13:27:41 |
Webmama_Tina |
yes rugby? we're having our mothering
chat right now |
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13:27:42 |
elijahsethsmom |
thanks |
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13:27:51 |
rugbymom |
i know, and im pg |
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13:28:22 |
Stephanie Tombrello |
I assume everyone knows one belt, one
person! |
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13:28:22 |
Webmama_Tina |
oh CONGRATS RUGBY! :) how exciting!! |
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13:28:39 |
Kamibug_and_Kiddos |
