GA Injury Advocates - November 2021

GA Injury Advocates - November 2021

Auto Injury T R I B U N E

November 2021

What Every Parent Needs to Know About Car Seat Safety BUCKLE UP If you’ve ever had a child, you know car seats are confusing. There are many different types, the requirements constantly change as your child ages, and the rules definitely seem different from when you were a kid. Plus, it can feel like you need an engineering degree to install the seat properly. November is Child Safety and Protection Month, so I want to take a moment to talk about car safety for kids. In 2019, 608 children under age 12 died in car crashes, and 38% of them were not buckled in. Almost as bad, about 46% of child restraint devices are misused in ways that can interfere with their effectiveness. Your child is the most precious thing in your life, and I know all too well that a car accident can be devastating to anyone of any age. Here’s what you need to know about keeping your kid safe. Rear-Facing Car Seats From the first time a newborn gets into a vehicle, they should use a rear- facing car seat. Designed for very small children, when properly used, this seat is the gold standard in safety. Rear-facing seats, like all child restraining devices, should only be used in the back seats of your vehicle. The child should remain in the rear-facing seat until they’ve reached the maximum weight and height limits listed by the manufacturer. This transition usually takes place between 2–4 years of age. Forward-Facing Car Seats Once your child has outgrown their rear-facing car seat, they should graduate to a forward-facing car seat. As with the rear-facing seat, your child should use this seat until they’ve reached the maximum weight or height limits. This seat should be used for most children until at least age 5.

Booster Seats Booster seats are the final restraint device your child will need as they grow. A booster seat allows the seat belt to fit the child’s body properly; improperly fitted seat belts on children can cause serious injury to them in the event of an accident. The lap belt should sit across the upper thighs (not the stomach), and the shoulder belt should sit across the center of the shoulder and chest (not the neck, face, or arm). Your child should continue using a booster seat until their seat belt fits properly without one, usually between the ages 9–12. Seat Belts Just because the seat belt fits your child properly doesn’t mean they’re ready to sit in the passenger seat. Children should continue to sit in the back seat until they reach at least age 12. In the event of a crash, the backseat is better protected than the front. Additionally, an activated airbag can cause injury or even death to your child. Front seats are tested for safety on adults, and your child shouldn’t ride in front until they’re about as large as one. Installation errors are common and easy to make, so once you’ve set up your car seat, you should confirm you did so properly. The Marietta Fire Department does free car seat checks, and you can find more information at MariettaGA.gov/775/Car-Seat-Installation . Safe Kids Cobb County offers the same service, and you can book your appointment at SafeKidsCobbCounty.org/car-seat-check .

Don’t delay — no one expects or knows when they’re going to experience an accident. Make sure your child is safe today and for many tomorrows.

El Abogado Ramiro (El Abogado Amigo) y su equipo hablan español

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(770) 233-7400

IMPROVING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH ONE STEP AT A TIME OVERCOMING THE IMPOSSIBLE TASK Almost everyone at some point has encountered a task that is seemingly simple, but no matter what they do, they can’t complete it. These tasks can be as straightforward as making the bed or something bigger, like cleaning an entire room. For many, this is an obstacle that they may want to do but can’t, which weighs heavily on them and becomes detrimental to their mental health. It’s important to understand that the impossible task is not a sign of laziness; depression and anxiety can make any task feel much bigger and more difficult than it actually is. If you find yourself unable to do the things you need or want to do, try these techniques to help overcome your obstacles. Break up the task. When the overarching task feels daunting, breaking it up into smaller segments can help you manage it. If you’re cleaning the kitchen, clean for only a few minutes at a time before taking a break. It might take longer, but the space will be clean at the end of the day. Make the task more enjoyable. Play music or involve your pet in some way to make the task fun or create a reward system for yourself. For example, tidying a specific area of the house or folding a basket of laundry may earn you time to play video games or watch TV. Alternating tasks and rewards is a great way to overcome any task, big or small. It can help to consider why the task feels so impossible, especially if you used to enjoy it. Try to remember what made it enjoyable and see if you can return to that state of mind. If the objective is not so urgent, determine its importance and if the task can be saved for another day. When all else fails, you can always ask someone for support or even pay someone else to do the task for you. No matter what you decide, there are ways to defeat the impossible task.

The holidays are right around the corner, and while many people can’t wait to eat turkey and swap presents, others only see stress on the horizon. Especially for those hosting parties, between decorations, big dinners, excited kids, and visiting family, it can all feel overwhelming. If celebrations are happening at your house this year, here are three tips to lessen the strain and keep up the holiday cheer. Recharge First Ensure you’re rested and recharged before the holidays by taking time to relax, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities that make you feel good. When you’re rushing to get everything done, it can be tempting to skip self-care routines, but that will cost you in the long run. Your daily exercise and other health activities keep you balanced and ready to face challenges head-on. Get Started Early Holidays always arrive faster than we expect, so begin preparing early. If shopping for presents is a pain point, don’t wait until the last minute. Decorate earlier than you need to — or better yet, get the kids to do it for you. There’s only so much cooking you can do ahead of time, but ensuring you have all of the equipment and nonperishable ingredients you need a few weeks in advance will reduce both your workload and anxiety. Don’t Expect Perfection The sooner you let go of the idea of a “perfect” holiday, the sooner you’ll be able to have a happy one. Face it: Something will go wrong. Whether it’s an overcooked dish, a child throwing a temper tantrum, or your uncle talking politics at the dinner table, nothing will ever go just how you planned. So, embrace the imperfections. Whether you’re celebrating this year with a group of two or 20, holidays can be a stressful time — but they don’t have to be. With these tips, your festivities may not be picture-perfect, but they will be a lot of fun. Have a Low- Stress Holiday 3 Tips for a Merrier Time

2 GAInjuryAdvocates.com

ROAD RULES

Tips for Safe Travel This Thanksgiving

In normal times, traveling for Thanksgiving can feel like running the gauntlet. But after so many people stayed home last year due to COVID-19 concerns, Thanksgiving travel is expected to increase significantly in 2021. That means a lot of people are going to be on the road. If you’re traveling by car this year but are feeling rusty, you’re not alone. We’ve put together a few tips and reminders to help you stay safe during one of the busiest travel times of the year. Know When To Leave >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

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