During the 4th of July, and Labor Day weekend, there will be a lot more people on the road, and likely a lot more drunk drivers. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of injury and death to children and adults. A large number of traffic crashes occur when alcohol consumption is combined with driving.

It is astonishing to think that every 31 minutes someone is killed in an alcohol-related crash. At holiday times, the number of crashes due to drunk drivers can increase by 10% or more. In 2003, 40% of all fatal traffic crashes involved alcohol, but during the Labor Day Holiday approximately 51% of the crashes involved alcohol, killing a total of 505 people.

Children are too frequently the victims in alcohol-related car crashes. Tragically, from 1997-2002, 1,588 (68%) of the 2,335 children killed in an alcohol-related crash were passengers in the car with a drunk driver at the wheel. In 2000 it was reported that nearly 2400 (67% of 3556) drinking drivers were old enough to be the child’s parent or caretaker. Drinking alcohol before driving is often coupled with other risk-taking behaviors. Drunk drivers are less likely to use a seat belt themselves or buckle up their child passengers. Not surprisingly, the likelihood of driving with appropriate safety restraints decreases with the increase in alcohol consumed.

Safe Driving Tips

• Adopt a zero-alcohol-tolerance policy, especially when transporting children.

• Always buckle-up and teach children to buckle-up.

• Secure your child in the appropriate car seat or safety belt every time they ride.

• Check the car seat instructions to be sure about the correct age and weight limits of the car seat.

• Be sure infants ride facing the back of the car until they are at least 1 year old.

• Keep children in a safety seat with a harness as long as possible (per the seat weight and height limits).

• Use a booster seat for children who have outgrown their safety seat, typically around age 4. Many children need to ride in a booster seat until they are age 8-11 years.

• Keep children in the back seat properly buckled up until they are at least 12 years old; recent research suggests they ride in the back seat until age 15.

Sources:

1. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (n.d.) Traffic Safety Facts 2003: Alcohol, DOT HS 809 761 Washington, DC: NHTSA.

2. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (n.d.) Traffic Safety Facts 2003: A Compilation of Motor Vehicle Crash Data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and the General Estimates System, Alcohol, DOT HS 809 775 Washington, DC: NHTSA.

3. RA Shults, PhD. (February, 2004) Child Passenger Deaths Involving Drinking Drivers –
4. United States, 1997—2002. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 53(04);77-79

5. Quinlan KP, Brewer RD, Sleet DA, Dellinger AM. (May, 2000) Characteristics of child passenger deaths and injuries involving drinking drivers. Journal of the American Medical Association 283(17):2249-2252.

This information provided by the San Diego State University Foundation.

The celebrations of the holiday season (beginning with Thanksgiving and continuing through New Year’s Day) typically include more time on the road – shopping, traveling and attending holiday get-togethers. Still, other upcoming holidays such as the 4th of July and Labor Day celebrations also increase the amount of people on the road, as well as the amount of drunk drivers. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of injury and death to children and adults.

It is astonishing to think that every 31 minutes someone is killed in an alcohol-related crash. At holiday times, the number of crashes due to drunk drivers can increase by 10% or more. In 2003, 40% of all fatal traffic crashes involved alcohol, but during the holiday’s the numbers where much higher. During the 2003 Christmas holiday approximately 48% of the crashes involved alcohol, during the Labor Day Holiday it was approximately 51%, for the 4th of July Holiday approximately 55%, and during the New Year’s holiday an astonishing 61% of the crashes involved alcohol. Added together, a total of 1,751 people were killed during those 4 holidays alone.

Children are too frequently the victims in alcohol-related car crashes. Tragically, from 1997-2002, 1,588 (68%) of the 2,335 children killed in an alcohol-related crash were passengers in the car with a drunk driver at the wheel. In 2000 it was reported that nearly 2400 (67% of 3556) drinking drivers were old enough to be the child’s parent or caretaker.

In 2003, drivers 21 to 24 years old were the most likely to be intoxicated (BAC of 0.08 g/dl or greater) in fatal crashes. Thirty-two percent of drivers 21 to 24 years old involved in fatal crashes were intoxicated, followed by ages 25 to 34 (27 percent) and 35 to 44 (24 percent).

Drinking alcohol before driving is often coupled with other risk-taking behaviors. Drunk drivers are less likely to use a seat belt themselves or buckle up their child passengers. Not surprisingly, the likelihood of driving with appropriate safety restraints decreases with the increase in alcohol consumed.

Safe Driving Tips

• Adopt a zero-alcohol-tolerance policy, especially when transporting children.

• Always buckle-up and teach children to buckle-up.

• Secure your child in the appropriate car seat or safety belt every time they ride.

• Check the car seat instructions to be sure about the correct age and weight limits of the car seat.

• Be sure infants ride facing the back of the car until they are at least 1 year old.

• Keep children in a safety seat with a harness as long as possible (per the seat weight and height limits).

• Use a booster seat for children who have outgrown their safety seat, typically around age 4. Many children need to ride in a booster seat until they are age 8-11 years.

• Keep children in the back seat properly buckled up until they are at least 12 years old; recent research suggests they ride in the back seat until age 15.

Sources:

1. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (n.d.) Traffic Safety Facts 2003: Alcohol, DOT HS 809 761 Washington, DC: NHTSA.

2. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (n.d.) Traffic Safety Facts 2003: A Compilation of Motor Vehicle Crash Data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and the General Estimates System, Alcohol, DOT HS 809 775 Washington, DC: NHTSA.

3. RA Shults, PhD. (February, 2004) Child Passenger Deaths Involving Drinking Drivers –
4. United States, 1997—2002. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 53(04);77-79

5. Quinlan KP, Brewer RD, Sleet DA, Dellinger AM. (May, 2000) Characteristics of child passenger deaths and injuries involving drinking drivers. Journal of the American Medical Association 283(17):2249-2252.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Dept. of Transportation (US). Traffic safety facts 2003: young drivers. Washington (DC): NHTSA; 2004b [cited 2005 June 19]. Available from: URL: www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/nrd-30/NCSA/TSF2003/809774.pdf.

About This Article:
This information provided by the San Diego State University Foundation.

By Christine Albury

It may sound daunting, but traveling with baby does not have to be a nightmare! A little preparation and forward planning is all you need for a successful trip with your tiny traveler.

There are certain supplies that are essential for any trip with your baby. The most important, of course, is enough food and milk for the journey. Always pack more than you think you’ll need and include plenty of finger foods if your baby is old enough — these are great for helping to keep him occupied! If you are breastfeeding and need to express milk, you can store it in a cooler, with ice, for up to 24 hours. You can also store bottles of pre-made formula in the same way — alternatively, you can add pre-measured powdered formula to the bottles, then top it up with cooled, boiled water as required.

Another option is to bring “ready to drink” cartons of formula. Whilst ideal for the journey itself, be aware that you may not be allowed to take these cartons with you into certain countries. Sealed containers of formula do not normally present a problem.

Solid foods can be packed into a cooler, although a better idea is to bring foods with you that you can easily prepare during the journey. Avocado pears and bananas are good examples, as they can be simply peeled, mashed and served to your baby at room temperature.

Always bring your own feeding bowls and utensils when traveling with baby – many eating establishments do not have cutlery appropriate for an infant’s use. A travel high chair is incredibly useful, too — and means that you can comfortably feed your baby wherever you go. Disposable bibs, or a wipe-clean plastic bib, can be very convenient when traveling and they certainly cut down on the laundry!

If you ask for food or milk to be warmed for you, be VERY careful to check the temperature on its return. Busy waiters or cabin crew may overheat the food and you will need to wait for it to cool down. With this in mind, ask for any food or milk to be warmed well before you’re actually going to need it!

Many parents worry about how to sterilize feeding equipment when traveling with baby. There are many products available to assist with this, from microwave sterilizer bags to disposable bottle liners. Most stores dealing with infant feeding equipment will offer a range of traveling accessories such as these.

Other essential items for your trip will include nappies/diapers and scented diaper bags. If you’re heading to a warm destination, adequate sun protection is a must! Also, consider bringing a small nightlight – if you’re breastfeeding, it can be very useful in a dark, unfamiliar hotel room.

To help your baby cope with the trip and to reassure him in new surroundings, be sure to bring his favorite blanket. This can also serve as a handy “curtain” to shield an airplane sky cot/bassinet from the light, or for naps in his stroller when out and about.

Dress your baby in light layers when traveling — not only does this make it easier to cope with fluctuating temperatures, but if your baby spills his food, for example, you can easily remove the top layer of clothing. Bring a change of clothes for yourself, too — baby’s mess tends to have a habit of transferring itself to his parents!

Enjoy your trip!

About this Article:
Christine Albury is the author of http://www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com, a complete guide to solid feeding during baby’s first year. For more information about traveling with an infant, including tips on air travel and taking your baby overseas, visit http://www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/traveling-with-baby.html.