Citation

Duchossois GP, Nance ML, Wiebe DJ. Accid. Anal. Prev. 2008; 40(6): 1908-1912.

Affiliation

Safe Kids Southeastern Pennsylvania Coalition, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Trauma Program, 34th Street&Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.aap.2008.08.003

PMID

19068293

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of child safety seat checkpoints in generating change in child restraint practice to reduce the prevalence and extent of misuse. METHODS: Child safety seats underwent an initial checkpoint evaluation and participants received a training session. Participants were asked to return within 6-12 months to a checkpoint for follow-up evaluation. During each visit, a data collection sheet was used to assess the participants' use of their child safety seat, and to subsequently calculate a restraint misuse score to characterize the child safety seat's usage before and after the intervention. RESULTS: During the period of study, 42 participants underwent both the initial and follow-up child safety seat check. Before the intervention, at least one misuse was identified in 100% of installed child safety seats. After the intervention, there was a significant reduction in the proportion of rear-facing child safety seats (18.8%) and forward-facing child safety seats (64.0%) that had at least one misuse (p<0.001). Almost all (93.4%) of those using rear-facing child safety seats and the majority (64.0%) of those using forward-facing child safety seats improved their safety score as measured after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Although misuse was universally observed, child safety seat checkpoint events were successful in improving usage practices.

Language: en