Page 2 - AAA Now! – AAA Northway – Winter 2021

AAA
TM
Car Crashes Are the No. 1 Safety Issue for Children,
Yet Only 1 in 5 Parents Has Their Car Seat Checked
Car crashes are the leading safety issue facing children with approximately 183,000 children injured in car crashes in 2018, or more than 500 injuries per day, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. AAA and the National Safety Council are sharing new research that sheds light on the extent to which parents and caregivers in the U.S. are informed about car seat installation and use.
According to the National Digital Car Seat Check Form database, more than half of all car seats brought in for inspection to child passenger safety technicians are improperly installed and used. Yet the general consumer survey revealed only 1 in 5 parents and caregivers seek expert help installing a car seat or securing a child in a car seat.
Data from the NDCF database also revealed:
1. There are three common mistakes. These include (1) having the car seat installation be too loose, (2) failing to use the tether when installing a forward-facing car seat with either the lower anchors or seat belt and (3) leaving harness straps too loose when securing a child in a car seat.
2. Children are often transitioned out of the appropriate car seats before it is safe to do so. More than a quarter of children are moved from forward-facing car seats to booster seats too soon
and more than 90% of children using lap-and-shoulder seat belts under the age of 10 should still be in a car seat or booster seat.
3. Parents and caregivers are less likely to seek car-seat inspections as children grow into forward- facing and booster car seats. Child passenger safety technicians inspect about four times the amount of rear- facing car seats than they do forward- facing car seats, and 73% of forward- facing seats are not correctly installed.
Boost Your Child Passenger Safety Knowledge and Skills
Car Seat Basics is a free online
course that helps participants
understand the four stages of child
passenger safety, including rear-
facing car seats, forward-facing car
seats, booster seats and seat belts. Participants can complete the full training or select a module on a specific stage of child passenger safety. The course was developed through NSC’s work with NHTSA.
AAA urges parents to get a car seat inspection so
they can have confidence knowing that their child passenger is protected. For more information on resources, including free car seat inspections at most AAA branch offices, call your local AAA office or visit AAA.com/trafficsafety.
What’s Happening
Albany Auto Show
Friday-Sunday, Nov 5-7, 2021
Times Union Center, 51 South Pearl Street Albany, New York $10 adults, children under 12 are free with an adult
The 2021 Albany Auto Show will feature more than 150 new vehicles (cars, trucks, minivans and SUVs) representing more than 25 manufacturers. Exhibitor booths will offer auto-related products and services. Find more automotive brands and models of all shapes and sizes than anywhere else in the region. albanyautoshows.com
Nature on the Move Walk
Hosted By: Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park Monday, Nov. 15, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park, Wilton, New York Free but preregistration is required
Come enjoy nature with others looking to get outside. This is an excellent time to view the foliage change with the seasons! This walk is geared towards gentle exercise and those with basic fitness levels. The group will cover approximately 1.5 to 2 miles of trail. This program will not take place in bad weather. For more information or to register for the program, please contact the Preserve & Park office at 518-450-0321 or via email at info@wiltonpreserve.org.
Schenectady Holiday Parade
Saturday, Nov. 20, 5 p.m. Schenectady, New York Free
Come and enjoy the largest evening parade in the Northeast! A holiday delight for every child and the child in everyone!
9th Annual Lighted Tractor Parade in Greenwich
Saturday, Nov. 20, 6-9 p.m.
Main and Washington streets, Greenwich, New York Free
These tractors are sure to catch your eye as each one must have a minimum of 1,000 lights! In addition, each tractor with a float/trailer must have a minimum of 2,000 lights. They will truly be a sight to see!
Information: 518-692-7979
Adirondack Christkindlmarkt
Dec. 3-5, 2021
Glens Falls City Park, Glens Falls, New York
Christkindlmarkt, pronounced Chris-Kindl-Mart, translates to mean Christmas market. Festivals such as these have been extremely successful in driving winter tourism in European cities for hundreds of years, bringing in thousands of people to the event. The Adirondack Christkindlmarkt is a family-focused, European-style Christmas festival, with a uniquely Adirondack flair and style combining cultural traditions, entertainment, local flavors and crafts with family fun activities for all ages.
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WINTER 2021
Now!