Contact Us

helping families and kids

Contact Us

Safe and Sound - In the Car

Jaime Candelori • February 1, 2024

Many children are not properly restrained in the car (I see it every day!)

How can you keep your child safe and sound in the car?

Know the Law - but also know its limitations

Florida law states that

  • Infants and toddlers from birth through age three must be in a separate carrier device or a manufacturer’s integrated child seat.
  • Children four years old through five years old to be in a separate carrier device, an integrated child’s seat, or a child’s booster seat.
  • Children 6 years old and older the option of continuing to use a booster seat or begin using a regular seat belt.


Know the Law of Physics

Unfortunately, the law as written in Florida leaves a lot to be desired, and focusing on science and data is more helpful.  What will actually protect your most valuable asset if you are in an accident?


Newborns and infants should be rear-facing in the backseat until they are at least age 2 years old but as long as possible as per the seat's manufacturer instructions. 


Toddlers and young children should remain in a 5 point harness system seat until they outgrow the seat as per the seat's manufacturer instructions.  I highly recommend this as long as possible, and for some children up to 7-8 years old can remain in the carseat.  They often will outgrow the height parameter before the weight.


Children 6 years and older are not required by law to use a booster seat, but most experts agree that children should be using booster seats until they are 4'9" or taller.  Some will say at least 8 years and 80 pounds but height should be considered. 


In reality, most children will need a booster seat to be the safest in the car until they are 10-12 years old and reach that height.


Children should not ride in the front seat until they are at least 13 years old, and some teens that are more petite will still be safer in the back (sorry, late bloomers!).


I strongly recommend following the AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Association guidelines, which are more strict but therefore more protective.  The NHTSA also includes information on recalls, ratings, and installation guides.


https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx

https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/car-seats-and-booster-seats


The Car Seat Lady is also an excellent resource and includes shopping guides

https://thecarseatlady.com


Car Seats for the Littles has reviews as well

https://csftl.org/


Install the seat properly

The resources above have excellent information for car seat installation, but it can be a daunting task.  You can also take the child restraint device to a dedicated installation site:


https://www.floridaoprc.ce.ufl.edu/oprc/Fitting_Stations.asp


Make sure the Straps are Secure

Did you know that 90% of parents do not place the straps on the child or infant properly?  I was one of them!  Despite all of my education and training, the actual placement and tightening of the straps with a newborn did not come easily to me.  Thankfully, I had people to help me!


*When kids ask why are my friends __________ (out of the carseat, riding without a booster, sitting in the front seat, etc.)?

My go-to response for my kids: Not all families know the most up-to-date recommendations on how to keep

kids safe in the car.  I love you too much to let you ride in an unsafe way.

If you have a better, idea, please share it!


Final Thoughts

Most importantly, please do not attach anything to the seat that did not come in the box for the car seat.  All additions - which are plentiful - can interfere with the safety of the seat.


Please note that the guidelines and recommendations can change at any time - follow the NHTSA and the AAP for the most up-do-date guidelines!

Protecting Your Little One From the Sun

By Jaime Candelori • May 2, 2024
WHY SHOULD WE LIMIT SUN EXPOSURE? Small amounts of sun exposure allow us to absorb vitamin d, which is an essential vitamin. However, the risks overall outweigh the benefits. Within minutes, sun exposure causes damage to the skin’s cells, and can even cause damage to the DNA in the cell. There are two main types of damaging sun rays: UVA - longer wavelengths, long term damage such as aging, wrinkles UVB - shorter rays, short term damage such as sunburn Short term effects cause sunburn, which is painful and even just one burn can significantly increase the risk of skin cancer later in life. Sun exposure also causes unwanted skin pigmentation changes. Long term effects include skin cancer, wrinkles, and other aging processes. HOW CAN I BEST PROTECT MY CHILD FROM THE SUN? FIRST , avoid the direct rays when at all possible. Keep children out of the sun between 10am-5pm Sit in the shade SECONDLY , dress your children in clothing with UPF 50+. UPF is similar to SPF, but just describes clothing and not sunscreen. Hats - I love the legionnaire style that fits snugly and covers the ears. And don’t forget eye protection! Sunglasses are great if you can get your kids to wear them! FINALLY , apply sunscreen. Every day. Kids 6 months +. Broad Spectrum - means it blocks both UVA and UVB rays Mineral sunscreens preferred (Titanium dioxide or zinc oxide) Harder to get on a wiggly child but easy to see where you’ve applied and it is very effective and low risk SPF 30+ Chemical sunscreens are OK (see below for more info) Apply 20-30 min prior to exposure Reapply every 2 hours Reapply every hour if at the beach or pool - sun rays bounce off water and sand so you get sun exposure from both above AND below Infants under 6 months can wear sunscreen if absolutely necessary - but again, it is best to keep them out of direct sunlight COMMON CONCERNS UNTANGLED: Do we need to apply sunscreen on cloudy days? YES. There is still a significant amount of UV light that will get through the clouds and cause skin damage. Can I use spray sunscreen? YES BUT. You have to be very cautious with inhalation, so spraying on your hand away from the child and then using your hand to apply to their skin is the best. As for teens, it might be the only one they will use, so go for it! Just tell them to hold their breath while applying and use in a well-ventilated area. Can I use chemical sunscreen? YES BUT. There are some fear-driven sites out there that suggest the chemicals in some sunscreens are bad since a small amount will be absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream. Most of the studies cited involve animals that INGESTED the chemical at doses much much greater than would be used in a typical human. In my opinion, the risk of sun damage far outweighs the risk of chemicals in the sunscreen. Ideally, for young children and frequent use, I’d recommend mineral based sunscreens. However, if the only option you have is sunscreen with chemical blockers, I think it would be just fine to use. ***** A word on oxybenzone - an ingredient specifically to avoid as per the AAP. It might be linked to hormonal disruption, but we still need more data. Overall - if you are able - it is best to avoid this ingredient until we have more information. What do I use for my kids? I like the mineral based sunscreens overall, especially on the face because they don’t burn around the eyes. I like cost-effective ones that I can purchase from big box stores like Costco and Sam’s. RESOURCES AND MORE READING https://www.ucf.edu/news/ucf-dermatologists-guide-to-sun-protection-necessary-precautions/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-chemicals-in-your-sunscreen/2019/06/14/3840042c-8ca3-11e9-adf3-f70f78c156e8_story.html https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Sun-Safety.aspx
Share by: