According to wpxi.com, "The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Friday that it will create a new consumer program to help parents and caregivers find a child seat that fits in their vehicle.
The new program is the result of a comprehensive review ordered by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to improve child passenger safety and Federal child seat standards.
LaHood also ordered the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to develop a new side impact safety standard for car seats. Side impact crashes account for one-third of all highway deaths among children under 13 years old. The internal review found that current standards, which require child seats to withstand forces that are more severe than 99.5 percent of real-world crashes, are effective.
However, LaHood urged NHTSA to do better.
"Infants and children are our most precious cargo," LaHood said. "We need to constantly improve our track record and help parents to choose a child seat that fits in their vehicle."
NHTSA will institute a new program beginning with the 2011 model year to make it easier for parents to choose child safety seats. Car manufacturers will recommend specific seats in various price ranges that fit for individual vehicles.
Some automakers, including Japan's Nissan and several European manufacturers, already provide similar recommendations. The review also found that half of all children 7 years old and younger who were killed in motor vehicle crashes were not in child safety seats.
"A child safety seat cannot do its job if it's not used at all," LaHood said. "Parents and caregivers need to make sure their children are buckled up properly and child seats are installed correctly."
During the month of May, you can sign up to join our Get Fit on the Go challenge. We will be choosing three participants for their efforts and posting their fitness stories. These three finalists will all receive some awesome goodie bags. As sponsors join us, I will be posting them here for you all to see what you can win! To learn how you can join the challenge, just click on the challenge button on the right sidebar!
Hey all, Car Mommy is on vacation while I prepare for and travel to Baby and Tween Celebration L.A. If you are in the L.A. area, stop by booth 230 and say hi! Wish us luck as we bring Baby Bloak to the hip moms of Los Angeles and we'll be back April 28th!
I have some amazing advice from some of the leading trainers in Hollywood lined up for May. And who knows better how to train a busy mom or dad than someone who works for the jet-set Hollywood crowd. Plus, I'm working on fabulous giftbags for our finalists and winner. So spread the word and let's get physical!
If you are twitter, spread the word using hashtag #getfit
Ohio has a new booster seat law which will require children 4-7 years old who are less than 4 feet 9 inches tall to ride in a booster seat. Now I know I didn't use a booster seat when I was a child and my husband tells stories of a cousin who was made to ride in one until he was 12, but I'd like to share excerpts from a Marietta Times article, which explains why booster seats are so important. Suffice it to say, my little man will be riding in a booster seat until he meets these safety requirements:
"According to the Boost Ohio Kids Coalition, a partnership of AAA clubs, public health agencies, private businesses and public safety advocacy groups that lobbied for the law, more than 400 4-to-8-year-olds are killed in traffic crashes every year and roughly 70,000 more are injured. Research by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia indicated booster seats reduce the risk of serious injury to children ages 4 to 7 by 59 percent, compared to just using a seat belt.
Booster seats position children so that seat belts fit properly on children. An improperly fitted belt can cause injuries to a child's internal organs in the event of a crash.
The coalition says lap belts should fit low and snug on the upper thighs and shoulder belts should rest over the shoulder and across the chest. According to the group, research shows that a good fit, without the use of a booster seat, comes when a child reaches 8 years old or a height of 4-foot-9 inches."
I know, I know this is the Car Mommy, but I'm a huge advocate of safe travel for children in any vehicle. That's why I want to share this important info from Gail Todd, published in the Chicago Daily Herald:
"According to the Federal Aviation Administration, air turbulence during flight is the leading cause of injuries each year. And the majority of it usually occurs above 30,000 feet.
But it's the children who frighten me the most. Safety-conscious adults will keep their seat belts fastened, but still let their children play on the floor or seat untethered. And even more disturbing are the lap children. The government requires us to keep children buckled up in government-approved car seats when they drive, but still allows them to travel without restraint at 35,000 feet.
The Association of Flight Attendants, which represents more than 40,000 flight attendants, continuously fights for more protection for children up in the air. But the government lets the old policy fly.
For parents who don't want to see themselves or their children become missiles at 35,000 feet, here are a few things to consider.
Purchase tickets for your infants. While flying free sounds like a good deal, free flying isn't. Holding a child on your lap to save some money may be the most expensive flight you ever take.
Bring a safety-approved car seat. The car seat must be installed in a nonexit window seat. Make sure your airline approves your car seat for your particular aircraft.
Keep all seat belts fastened. Children learn to remain in their car seats for extended time periods. They can do the same on an airplane. And a loosely fastened seat belt is not abuse for a child or an adult.
Listen to the announcements. If you are away from your seat when the seat belt sign comes on, return to it immediately. Air turbulence can be a dangerous and frightening event. It's the one time you don't want to land on your feet."
I am lining up some amazing experts for Get Fit on the Go month! And to get you excited and planning your work-out, I thought a little challenge might be in order! I'm working on a great prize for the challenge winner, but you can all win by participating.
The Challenge: Start an exercise routine and stick with it.
How to participate: Email a current picture of yourself, your name, age, location, and your personal fitness goal (whether it's to lose 10 lbs or wear an old pair of jeans or stop huffing and puffing up a flight of stairs) None of these things will be published without your permission!
How to win: On June 1st, you will be asked to send a new picture and tell us about your new fitness regime. The Car Mommy will choose three inspiring finalists and readers will vote for their favorite!
So dust off those running shoes and pedometers and let's get physical!
Hey there, fellow Mom blogger, Jolly Mom (http://www.jollymom.com) is hosting an awesome giveaway for a Bumbleride Flyer on her blog. If you have ever seen a Bumbleride (www.bumbleride.com) then you know why this is so exciting! Head on over to Jolly Mom and enter now!
Hey everyone, swimsuit season is fast approaching and even if you won't be braving the beach, the heat is going to have you in tank tops and shorts soon enough. That's why I'm declaring May Get Fit on the Go month! I'm busy getting ready to head to L.A. myself and I've been hitting the gym with the little man in tow, and well, nothing has made my car get more cluttered than hauling his stuff, my stuff, water bottles, toiletries, so as a good Car Mommy I'm reaching out to the experts for the best tips and products for a busy parent on the go trying to get in shape. If you have thoughts on this subject and want to share them with our readers, please email me at thecarmommy at gmail dot com.
I will be emailing winners to get contact info! If you didn't leave me an email, or your profile does not have one, please leave me a comment here with it, so that I can get in contact with you!
Ok, the rules are simple and the prizes are fun! You have to fulfill the 3 steps to be "officially entered," from there you can chat away trying to be post 200, 400 or 600! We got to two hundred posts in an hour last time, can you guys get to 600 by 10??? Don't worry, I'll help you get the word out.
PRIZES (awarded randomly to the 200th, 400th, and 600th posters!)
We'll be giving away three awesome surprises for your spring getaways tonight at 6:30 CST! the 200th, 400th, and 600th comments will win. I'll announce the three giveaways at 6:15, so you know what you are vying for! In the meantime, spread the word so that we can get the party started and prizes won!
Today, we have some great tips from Nisha at littlejetset.com, your one stop online shop for ALL of your kid travel needs. Seriously, there is some awesome stuff over there. Also we will be hosting a live giveaway Thursday night sponsored by Little Jet Set at 6:30 CST. Your kids will thank you if you win this one!
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With the average price of regular gas now below $2, there is no better time to pack up the kids and hit the road. While the ride to your final destination is bound to be visually appealing, the excitement is likely to wear off quite quickly if traveling with young children. When traveling with kids, no strategy is foolproof; however, parents can considerably increase the chance of keeping their children content if they keep them occupied, comfortable and well-fed. Boredom, discomfort and hunger are a recipe for travel disaster. So before you set out to explore all the beauty our great country has to offer, be sure to consider the following.
1. Be organized and neat. I divide the car into 3 logical areas, trunk, middle row and front passenger seat. The trunk is the “storage unit” for luggage and other items that you will not need until you reach your destination. The middle row is the “activity center” for the trip as discussed below. And the front seat, which I deem the “control hub,” is where I keep CDs, snacks, drinks and emergency items like a grocery bag (for garbage or as a car-sickness bag) and tissues.
My kids are long past diapers, but I still pack wipes, which are quick and effective for a stain on a shirt, messy face, or sticky fingers. I also put seat protectors under their car seats. While offering the long-term benefit of reducing the wear and tear on your seats, you will also experience the short-term gain. Most crumbs and other unidentifiable particles tend to collect around the base of the car seat. I find it easy to lift the car seat up a notch and slide the protector out from under and shake the dirt away.
2. Choose the right time to travel. When we visit my parents who live 5 hours away, we usually leave after breakfast, which allows the kids a couple of hours to play games, listen to music, draw or whatever, we stop for lunch, and then we get back on the road in time for a nap or possibly a movie or video games if time permits.
While the idea of traveling at night seems to make sense, I find that because my kids are still young (both under 6) they both have a hard time falling asleep for a long period of time. Also, safety is a primary concern. While it is quite tempting to leave for a road trip on a Friday after a long day at work, the National Sleep Foundation states that: "Being awake for 18 hours is equal to a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08%, which is legally drunk and leaves you at equal risk for a crash."
3. Keep your kids organized and occupied. Fill your backseat with games and puzzles, toys, coloring and drawing, and activity books that will make your family travels that much more enjoyable. I also leave the DVDs and video games towards the end of the trip, typically when most kids begin to “crash.” To organize these items in the “activity center,” I find that a car valet (which hangs over the front seat headrest) or travel toy tote (that can be placed in the middle seat or floor) is quite helpful to store games, toys, books, DVDs and much more. Another option is to have each child pack his or her own backpack.
And when they start their whines of boredom despite the endless offering of amusements, we play games that do not require anything except our imagination. Parents do not shy away from engaging with your kids; your attention is sometimes all they really want. You would be amazed how giving children just 10 minutes of uninterrupted time can quickly change a sour mood. Some of my favorite homemade games are: name the superheroes, the A to Z word game, and the ever-popular two truths and a story (a great way to share your own childhood memories).
4. Keeps kids well fed. A hungry child is a cranky child. Rest stops along the way may not have food and beverages that are age appropriate or particularly healthy. To combat hunger, pack a lunchbox or snack bag that contains everything you need to feed little ones. Do not show or tell them what you are bringing (make it a surprise). We find that a mixture of healthy snacks (water, whole wheat bagels, bananas, trail mix) and treats (cookies, juice, chips) offers a good balance. I try to alternate between giving healthy snacks and treats. The kids generally eat every two hours or so, and I will have them guess what is in the goody bag, which keeps them entertained and satisfied.
5. Keep your kids comfortable. As fatigue sets in for our tiny travelers, a soft plush and/or comfy travel pillow makes a parent’s life easier. And during our winter road trips (or even when my husband cranks up the a/c in the summer), my kids love to wrap themselves in a cozy blanket. You then have the possibility that the “activity center” might just turn into the “sleep” or “relaxation” center.
6. Prepare for the Unexpected. There are challenges unique to traveling with children. Accidents or spills may occur. Keep spare clothing, including socks, within reach. And going back to point 1, keep a grocery bag or two nearby in case you see your child turning green and cannot quite pull over.
And for those moments when your child may want to kick the seat, scream, or bother his or her sibling, we still find the element of distraction works. Weather permitting, we roll down the window and say a big “hello” to the world. The kids love the wind in their face and we love seeing their frowns turn upside down. We also put in a favorite CD or tune into radio station and sing along. And other times, we acknowledge that it might be the right time to stop for a stretch or a run around the rest area. "
So if you're like my parents you drive everywhere on vacation, and if you're like them you drag your teen kids along but won't let them drive at all? So how do you keep a 17 year-old occupied for 12 hours when they're iPod dies? Creative Whack, baby! I recently received a couple Ball of Whacks to test for Creative Whack, so I put my kid brother (who just turned 18 - congrats bro!) to the test. Would it be cool enough to occupy the typical texting, tech-based teen of today? The answer was a resounding YES! In fact, I've never seen him that occupied. The Ball of Whacks now accompanies him to work, school, you get the picture - might have to take it away actually.
It's not hard to guess why. Ball of Whacks is just good, old fashioned fun. It forces you to use your creativity and allows for an endless array of uses!
Creative Whack has a myriad of awesome car-friendly products from conversation card games to the cool new X-Ball. It sure to keep the hardest to entertain tween or teen happy! You can check them out and buy them here
I recently stumbled on a great website for info on car safety for passengers and drivers between the ages of 0-21 - ! Want a quick fact or two for a website or blog? Or maybe you're reaching that rite of passage every parent dreads - teaching your teen to drive. This site will give you facts, tips, and stats to answer all your car parenting questions! Check it out!
Getting a Clek Olli in the mail was something akin to getting a pair of Jimmy Choos in my single day - it was a luxurious experience! I knew from the moment I opened the box and saw the Clek dust bag carefully wrapping my beautiful new Clek Olli that I was in love - what mom wouldn't be?
The seat is a beautiful black suede that screams style and it's going to look fab in my grey Hyundai! But the coolest things about Clek Ollis aren't it's looks (and that's saying something!), the Olli is the first backless booster with a rigid latch connection that makes it totally secure. It fits from 40 inches/40 lbs to 57 inches/100 lbs making it the only booster seat you'll ever have to buy your little one.
The other cool thing about the Clek Olli? You can buy Clekjackets for it to change its look instantly! Clekjackets are machine washable and have a special storage pocket - how cool is that? I'm eying this pretty for mine!
Car Parents you are going to love this booster. It doesn't slide, it's stylish, and your kid isn't going to fight you on riding in it, because it looks so cool!
