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Many car seats can rear-face to a limit of 30-35 pounds.  There are a few car seats with newer weight limits to 40 and even 45 pounds while rear-facing.  Be sure to read the manufactures instructions to learn the limits on your child’s car seat.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is now recommending that all infants and toddlers remain rear-facing in a convertible car seat until they have reached the maximum height and weight limit for their model of child restraint, or at least 2 years of age.  By keeping toddlers rear-facing longer this will protect the child’s neck and spine in the event of a significant crash. The crash forces will be absorbed by the child restraint and not the child. 

A concern for many parents is “Where will my child put their legs?” – children are very flexible and will find a way to sit in their car seat.  Studies have shown very few, if any, lower leg or foot injuries while rear-facing. The children are exercising their hips and legs while riding this way which strengthens their muscles and helps them to become better athletes!  However if the child is facing forward – many head, neck and spine injuries are reported.  These injuries can be very serious.

Recently, WISC did an in depth report on this very issue. Click on the play button on the lower left to view the report.

To see if your car seat is installed properly call 608-827-2327 to schedule an appointment with a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician at Dean Foundation.

If you know someone who has undergone chemotherapy or radiation treatment, you know how difficult it can be. During this time any kind or thoughtful gesture means so much to the patient.

Cozy Covers, a Dean Foundation program, provides Dean Oncology patients with a handmade blanket or shawl. Volunteers donate their time, talent and materials to make the blankets. Each blanket is given to the patient with a special note so each patient knows that someone is thinking about them and wishing them well. The patient is encouraged to bring the blanket back during future visits.

Patients and their families deeply appreciate these personal handmade gifts and they often become a meaningful memento of their oncology treatment.

How can you help?

If you are interested in making a Cozy Cover here’s how to get involved.

1. Donate yarn or material that is soft and washable for another volunteer to make a Cozy Cover. To donate materials call the Foundation at 827-2300.

2. Make a blanket or shawl

• Choose a soft and washable material for your blanket/shawl
• Cozy Covers can be crocheted, knit, sewn, or tied
• The finished size of the shawl/blanket should be approximately 36 by 50 inches

When finished, call Dean Foundation at 827-2300 to arrange delivery. Remember Cozy Covers can be as simple or as elaborate as your creativity allows.

Making Cozy Covers is a great service project to do as a group any time of year.  Young or old, everyone can participate in making Cozy Covers.

Special Thanks

• Girl Scout Troop #22 from Beloit donated eleven blankets for a service project. 

• Cub Scout Den #7 from Oregon made and donated blankets for a service project.

Dean Foundation offers the Every Ride a Safe Ride program to promote child passenger safety and educate the public to ride safe. Through this program you can:

• Rent car seats for children
• Receive free car seat inspections for drivers who have their own child safety seat
• Obtain restraints for children with special transportation needs

To learn more about the Every Ride a Safe Ride program click here

Now in 2009 he has a new brightly-colored helmet with splash design and rejuvenated body. He still shares the same message of bike safety just with a updated look.

If you have an event or program you’d like Crash Helmet® to attend contact the Passenger Safety Educator or call 608-827-2327.

Some of the most common installation errors seen are:

1. Incorrect use of seatbelt or LATCH belt

- Loose seatbelt or LATCH belt (it should not move more than one inch side to side)

- Using the wrong belt path on the child restraint

- Not using the tether strap when forward facing

2. Incorrect use of harness

- Harness should be at or below shoulders when rear facing (see picture below)

- Harness should be at or above shoulders when forward facing and in an approved forward facing slot per the manufactures instructions (see pictures below)

- Harness must be snug to child, can not take a fold in the harnessing (see picture below)

- Lap and shoulder MUST be worn low across the hips and cross over the mid chest for children in booster seats and adults.

 3. Age/fit inappropriate

- Turning car seat forward facing too soon (children should stay rear facing until 30-35 pounds or 2 years of age)

- Moving a child into a booster seat too soon (children must be 4 years of age AND 40 pounds to use a booster seat)

- Moving a child into an adult lap and shoulder belt too soon

Avoiding these common mistakes can save your child’s life.  Be sure to read the manufacturers instruction manual for your vehicle and car seat.

Dean Foundation offers car seat inspections where parents meet with a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician to take a look at the car seat you have installed in your vehicle. We will ensure it is installed correctly, your child is placed properly in the car seat, that it is not under a recall, and be sure it is not expired.

This is a thorough inspection and can take 20-30 minutes per car seat. You can schedule an inspection by calling 608-827-2327.