The Kohl's A Minute for Kids campaign is a way for Kohl's Department Stores and Dayton Children's to bring health, safety and prevention information to children and families in the region.
Safety through the ages…Learn how to use developmental concepts to better protect your toddler. Safety through the ages…Learn how to use developmental concepts to better protect your toddler.
Expert: Eileen Kasten, MD, developmental pediatrician Learn more
If your child is using a cell phone to text, make sure he or she understands the dangers of texting and “sexting.”
Expert: Greg Ramey, PhD, child psychologist Learn more
Countdown to good health 5 – 2 – 1 – 0. Learn how taking small “bites” toward good health can lead to big gains.
Expert: James Ebert, MD, lead physician, lipid clinic Learn more
This year’s flu season—with the seasonal flu and H1N1—is expected to be a long one. Learn how to best prevent the flu.
Expert: Sherman Alter, MD, infectious disease Learn more
When cleaning your house, it’s important to use products and methods to minimize asthma triggers.
Expert: Belinda Huffman, respiratory therapist, pulmonary medicine Learn more
With active kids, a hard “bonk” on the head is common. When is it more than just a “bonk?”
Expert: Laurence Kleiner, MD, pediatric neurosurgeon Learn more
Use car seats as long as possible for best protection
Your child’s milestones - from the first tooth to the first day of school - are exciting. Even car seat milestones seem exciting. They should be looked upon with caution and careful consideration, however.
Every step in the car seat progression is actually a step down in your child’s protection.
"Motor vehicle crashes remain the number-one killer of children ages 1 through 14," says Thomas Krzmarzick, MD, medical director of the Regional Pediatric Trauma and Emergency Center at Dayton Children’s. "While some crashes are unsurvivable, the correct use of car seats and booster seats saves lives."
Many parents - eager to see their child achieve another milestone - move the child from a car seat to seat belts too soon. Before going to seat belts, children need to "graduate" to a booster seat.
Children 2 to 5 years of age using safety belts prematurely are four times more likely to suffer a serious head injury in a crash than those restrained in child safety seats or booster seats.
Use a belt-positioning booster seats in the back seat from about age 4 to at least age 8 - unless the child is 4 feet 9 inches or taller. Safety belts, which are designed to fit adults, won’t fully restrain a child in a crash. Using a booster seat will better protect your child from being thrown from the vehicle or thrown around inside it, during a crash.
Recent research suggests that following the manufacturers guidelines and using various car seats and guidelines to the higher limits better protects children while in motor vehicles.
Dayton Children’s, Safe Kids Greater Dayton and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend the following to help parents navigate the car seat progression:
Also on our website, you will find podcasts on this and other topics, and other health and safety information.
Thomas Krzmarzick, MD, is medical director of the Regional Pediatric Trauma and Emergency Center. Dr. Krzmarzick is also a clinical assistant professor of pediatrics and emergency medicine at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine. He is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric emergency medicine. He earned his medical degree at the University of Iowa School of Medicine. Dr. Krzmarzick completed his pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, where he was also chief resident in pediatrics. Dr. Krzmarzick has been the medical director of the emergency department at Dayton Children’s since 1999.
For more information on car seats - including things your child can say if he or she is self-conscious about being in a booster seat - go to KohlsMinutes.childrensdayton.org. You will also find other health and safety information from Dayton Children’s experts.