By Megan Alley
Sun staff
Parents of young children may be relieved to know that according to a recent study, rear-facing car seats continue to be the safest option, even in a rear-impact collision.
Rear-facing car seats protect infants and toddlers in front and side-impact crashes, but researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center wanted to find out the effectiveness of rear-facing car seats in a rear-impact collision.
The report noted that rear-impact collisions make up more than 25 percent of all accidents.
Lead author Julie Mansfield and her team studied multiple rear-facing car seats, and they took a close look at the effects of various features, including carry handle position and anti-rebound bars.
They found that when used correctly, all the rear-facing car seats were effective because they absorbed “crash forces” while stabilizing the motion of the child.
Moreover, Mansfield said that even though the child is facing the direction of the impact, it doesn’t mean that a rear-facing car seat isn’t going to do its job; it still has many different features and mechanisms to absorb that crash energy and protect the child.
When it comes to procuring and installing a car seat, there are many resources available to Clermont County parents to ensure that they have a safe and reliable car seat for their child.
Getting a safe care seat
Qualifying low-income families can receive a free car seat through the Ohio Buckles Buckeyes program, which is administered locally by Clermont County Public Health.
To be eligible, applicants must:
– Meet monthly income eligibility guidelines for the program, which are:
Family of 1 before taxes: $1,860
Family of 2 before taxes: $2,504
Family of 3 before taxes: $3,149
Family of 4 before taxes: $3,793
Family of 5 before taxes: $4,437
Family of 6 before taxes: $5,082
Family of 7 before taxes: $5,726
Family of 8 before taxes: $6,371
– Have, or be the legal guardian of, a child between five and 65 pounds for a convertible car seat, or between 40 pounds (and be too tall for a convertible) and 100 pounds for a booster seat; or be pregnant.
– Attend a class and installation training – between 30-60 minutes long – and complete paperwork.
– Be a Clermont County resident.
For more information on the program, visit http://ccphohio.org/ohio-buckles-buckeyes/.
Making sure your car seat is properly installed
Below is a list of local locations that will check to make sure your child’s car seat is safely installed. Note that car seat fittings may be by appointment only, so please call ahead.
Central Joint Fire — EMS District
513-732-3876
2401 Old State Route 32, Batavia, OH 45103
Miami Township Fire Department
513-248-3709
5888 McPicken Drive, Milford, OH 45150
Milford Fire Department
513-831-7777
687b US 50, Milford, OH 45150
Union Township Fire Department (residents only)
513-528-4446, Option 2
– 855 Ohio Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45245
– 718 Cincinnati-Batavia Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45245
– 1141 Cincinnati-Batavia Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45103
– 860 Clough Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45245
– 3873 Bach Buxton Road, Amelia, OH 45102