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We don't want you to miss out on the latest edition of the CPS Express! Please add [email protected] to your address book or safe list today. When was the last time you checked the information in your CPS online profile? Please do it now! This newsletter is available as a PDF

December 1, 2013 In This Edition • • • • •

Announcements and Notices Program Reminders General Just For Instructors CEU Corner

CPS Training Seat - Custom-built training seats for CPS classes Seats include a variety of seat belt systems, forward and rear facing anchor points and LATCH. Seats are mounted on an aluminum box with a locking storage compartment, 5" wheels for easy transport. For more information, contact Steve at [email protected] or 301-960-4426 and check out the FLYER.

Advertise With Us Learn More About CPS Express Ad Space

Announcements and Notices Evaluation of the Certified-Advanced Air Bags - A new NCSA report This National Center for Statistics and Analysis report analyzed the changes and redesigns of frontal air bags and their effect on occupant protection in frontal crashes. In 1998-1999, vehicle manufacturers were permitted to sled test in lieu of a barrier impact to certify that the air bags would protect an unbelted occupant (“sled certification”), which allowed air bags to be redesigned by depowering and/or reducing the volume or rearward extent of air bags. Then in 20032006, air bags were required to not deploy at all for children or deploy only at a low level of force (“certified-advanced air bags”). Fatality risk in frontal crashes was 4 percent lower for drivers with certified-advanced air bags than with sled-certified air bags; for right-front passengers, it was 2 percent higher; at neither position is

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the difference between certified-advanced and sled-certified air bags statistically significant. The fatality rate, in frontal crashes per billion vehicle registration years showed a 4 percent reduction overall, 5 percent reduction for drivers, and 5 percent reduction for child right-front passengers 12 and younger, after vehicles were equipped with certified-advanced air bags. None of these were statistically significant. Overall, the analysis found no evidence that certified-advanced air bags result in higher fatality risk to front-seat occupants in frontal crashes when compared to sled-certified air bags. >> Read the report
Learn More Recertification FAQs >> Learn More

You may recertify up to four months before your certification expiration date without losing any time. Avoid problems--don't delay! Basic recertification requirements and deadlines:

1. Five seat checks approved by a certified instructor (you may use the technician proxy

option).You can do the checks at any time during your certification cycle as long as they are entered online and a certified instructor approves them before your recertification date.

2. Community education (choose one): o o

Participation in at least one two-hour checkup event with at least one other CPS technician using any standardized checklist to provide documentation, if needed Provide at least four hours of community education. Examples include making presentations to parents, educators, kids, organizations (such as PTAs or law enforcement), or other stakeholders who are not technicians.

3. A minimum of six hours of CPS technical continuing education units earned and reported during a current two-year certification cycle. o You cannot carry over CEUs from one period to the next, even if you have accumulated

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o

o

more CEUs than are required Because your certification cycle stays the same, any CEUs obtained after you recertify but before the first day of your new certification cycle may not be applied to the new cycle You can record CEUs at any time during your certification cycle, but they must fit into one of the five approved categories and meet content requirements.

4. Register and pay the recertification fee before your certification expiration date. You can register up to 4 months in advance of your certification expiration date. You will NOT lose any time-your dates stay the same.

To get to the payment screen, you must have: • • •

Completed all five seat checks (entered and CPSTI approved) Entered at least six CEUs Entered your community event information

Once all three are done and you are within 4 months of your certification expiration date, you will see a "Click Here to Continue" button that will take you to the payment screens. Once your registration is complete, your recertification will be processed in no more than two days. •

PPTs/PDFs with step by step instructions and screen shots >> Check out the Resources tab and look at the How To page

CPS Customer Service Survey Available Safe Kids is interested in your experiences with our CPS customer service. If you have contacted the customer service representatives by calling the toll-free number (877-366-8154) or by e-mailing them at [email protected], please take a few minutes to complete the online survey under Contact Us on the Certification Web site. This survey should take no more than two minutes to complete. There is no limit to the number of times you can share your opinions with us. Thank you for helping us improve our customer service!

General | Top By the Numbers Children Alone in Vehicles Deaths of children left in hot cars • • •

2013: 42 2012: 34 2011: 33

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•

2010: 49

Details are available at http://ggweather.com/heat CPS Recertification • • • •

2013: 2012: 2011: 2010:

58.2 54.7 55.4 50.3

percent (January-November) percent percent percent

Holiday-Safe Routines Sometimes the most routine things we do can become the most deadly things we do. This holiday season, join with us at Primary Children’s Hospital in thinking about the routine things we do and make sure they are the safest routines that can protect our families. When getting in the vehicle, no matter how far we are traveling, remember that properly buckling your children and yourself is critical to remaining safe. Many of us think ‘nothing will ever happen to me because I am a safe and experienced driver.’ While that may be comforting, it is far from the truth since none of us can control what the other drivers on the road are doing. Car seats, booster seats and seat belts Save Lives! Remaining alert, undistracted and in compliance with posted speed limits will make our trips safer. I don’t know about you but the anticipation of family visits, excursions to recreation and entertainment locations and even winter vacation destinations make for a fun time of year. Our safety diligence can make these anticipations a reality! Here are a few additional safety tips that may help your family have a memorable holiday season. Make it routine to walk around the vehicle and make sure that young children are properly supervised when leaving the home or any parking location. In Utah, one child is run over every seven days. These incidents are preventable. Spot the Tot is the slogan created at Primary Children’s Hospital to remind us of this tragic risk. A few seconds of precaution can save a life-time of loss and pain. It is never a wise idea to leave children in the vehicle for even a few minutes. There are many issues that may become major mistakes when kids are left in cars. A child’s body is much different than an adult and they don’t have the same ability to regulate temperature. While most of us realize the dangers of leaving children alone in warm weather, there are many other factors that can be deadly for children left alone in the vehicle. Children that are entrapped in a trunk often die. Vehicles can be placed in gear by an unattended child and move into a dangerous situation. Power windows can cause risks to children left alone in a vehicle and the threat of abduction becomes greater. While on holiday excursions, remember that all states have car seat laws. If flying, driving, or using other family transportation, take car seats for your children. Rear-facing and forward-facing car seats can be used on airplanes. Booster seats cannot but you will need them upon arrival for the vehicles you will use on location. Even if you plan to use a rental vehicle see if they rent car seats or take your own to make your travel safe. Make your routines “holiday-safe routines” and have a wonderful holiday season! Submitted by Janet Brooks, Child Advocacy Manager, Primary Children’s Hospital (Salt Lake City, UT)

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New Crash Avoidance Ratings by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety A new test program by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the performance of front crash prevention systems to help consumers decide which features to consider and encourage automakers to speed adoption of the technology. The rating system is based on research by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) indicating that forward collision warning and automatic braking systems are helping drivers avoid front-to-rear crashes. The Institute rates models with optional or standard front crash prevention systems as superior, advanced or basic depending on whether they offer autonomous braking, or autobrake, and, if so, how effective it is in tests at 12 and 25 mph. Vehicles rated superior have autobrake and can avoid a crash or substantially reduce speeds in both tests. For an advanced rating a vehicle must have autobrake and avoid a crash or reduce speeds by at least 5 mph in 1 of 2 tests. ... Moderately priced and luxury midsize cars and SUVs are the first to be evaluated in the new IIHS test program. These include 74 vehicles, all 2013-14 models. Seven earn the highest rating of superior when equipped with optional autobrake and forward collision warning systems. They are the Cadillac ATS sedan and SRX SUV, Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan, Subaru Legacy sedan and Outback wagon, Volvo S60 sedan and XC60 SUV. "Front crash prevention systems can add a thousand dollars or more to the cost of a new car. Our new ratings let consumers know which systems offer the most promise for the extra expense," says David Zuby, IIHS chief research officer. The front crash prevention ratings complement the Institute's long-standing crash test program telling consumers how well passenger vehicles protect people in a range of crash configurations. In its crashworthiness program, the Institute rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal or poor based on performance in moderate overlap front, small overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint evaluations. For crash avoidance technologies, the Institute developed a three-tier rating system of superior, advanced and basic to reflect that even a basic forward collision warning system can provide significant benefits. The article is an excerpt from http://iihs.org. To read more, go to Crash Avoidance Ratings by IIHS.

Auditor Alcove: Unwrap the CPS Opportunities Not all CPSTs have the ability to attend conferences and/or expos dedicated to child passenger safety. And that is okay. With technology at our fingertips, we can read blogs, visit manufacturer websites, and even watch videos that highlight new features. You can take that a step further, though! Major retailers keep their shelves stocked with displays which are ready for the touching. When I am out and about doing some shopping (whether alone or with my kids) I often take a stroll down the car seat aisle. I look at labels, weight and height limits, and new features that the seats might have. I get really excited if there is a manual tucked neatly away for me

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to peek through. When my kids were smaller (they are now 9 and 10) I used to go so far as to put them in display seats to check for fit, ease of use, and comfort level. With the hustle and bustle of the Holidays approaching, take a few minutes to stroll down the car seat aisle while you are out shopping. You may find that the excitement of new safety technology adds a little magic to the season...I can't possibly be alone in this! If you have any questions about recertification, CEUs, what documentation is required, or audits, please email me at [email protected]. Submitted by Jami Revesz, CPSTI and Safe Kids Quality Assurance Specialist (Trenton, MI)

Featured FAQ: What if I go to a retailer with another tech and look at the new seats? Can I earn CEUs? To qualify for credit under category #1, educational sessions must be researched, prepared and organized. Although it is practical and prudent for a technician to periodically review the selection of seats at a local retailer, this activity would not count towards CEUs. If, however, the activity was structured as a class that met category #1 requirements, such as including an agenda, sign in roster, etc., then it could qualify for CEUs TIP: All you need to set up an in-store update is provided by the National Child Passenger Safety Board with the CEU Toolkit.

Fact or Fiction: A recent survey of 1,000 parents found that one in four parents say they have driven with their children unrestrained. FACT: In September, Safe Kids Worldwide released “Buckle Up: Every Ride, Every Time,” a study that finds an alarming percentage of parents are not always taking the time to ensure their children are safely secured in vehicles. The survey asked parents if it was acceptable for a child to ride unrestrained in a vehicle in certain circumstances, including driving a short distance, if the car or booster seat was missing, during overnight travel, as a reward for the child, or if they chose to hold the child in their lap. Among other findings, twenty-one percent of parents said it was acceptable to drive with their child unrestrained if they are not driving far. Check out the infographic for other surprising findings.

Notes from the CPS Board: Getting to Know Your Board Each month, learn a little about a Child Passenger Safety Board member here in the CPS Express.

Carol Helminski (Bonita Springs, FL) Child Restraint Manufacturer Representative •

How long have you been a member of the Board? Hmmm..I think since 2004 (as no one

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was interested in this job…they already had a full time job!) How long have you been a technician/instructor? Technician since 1999 and an Instructor since 2004 Why did you decide to become a CPS advocate? I started working at Century Products (now Graco/Newell Rubbermaid) and watched many crash tests and how a car seat if used correctly could save a child’s life. I had also been working with big accounts such as USAA and Allstate and saw how important they thought of their expecting members by giving them a free car seat. It definitely made me very aware of how many advocates were working day and night on safety issues with small children while traveling. Being Graco’s CPS Advocate is a very rewarding job – I have made CPS friends all over the U.S.A. and different countries. To all my safety advocates this sums it up “Good Friends are like stars…You don’t always see them, but you know they are always there.” Who taught your first certification course? Tomi St. Mars and Tracey (Brown) Fejt in Parker, AZ near Lake Havasu. Advice for the field: Use your resources. Call the car seat manufacturers 800 number with any questions – if they see the same question over and over they take notice and it will usually show up on their FAQ’s. Stay involved with your local organizations. Keep doing what you are doing – one child’s life saved makes it all worth it. What are your hobbies: Beach. Golf. Biking. Reading. Traveling. Half marathons. Spoiling grandchildren. I plan on adding to this list of hobbies as the saying goes…”Life is a Dance you Learn as you Go.” Tell us about your family: Recently widowed - I miss my husband every day after being together for 25 plus years. My son lives in Washington, D.C., my daughter lives in Hudson, OH and my four beautiful grandchildren are all located in Ohio. I love living in Florida the weather is a definite pick-me-up with all the sunny days. If I need to see a snowflake or two I can always go back to my home town of Erie PA.

Just For Instructors | Top Curriculum Update: Everyone loves getting mail! The Board’s work on the curriculum is complete and it is now in the hands of the curriculum developer for finalization and printing. We still anticipate it being shipped the first of the year. Keep an eye out for it! It is being shipped to the official mailing address in your CPS Online profile. The distributor of the curriculum already has the mailing list so if it is outdated, please ask someone at that address to be ready to forward it to you. Your materials include a DVD and instructor manual. If you do not have a DVD player, you will be able to purchase the curriculum on a USB drive. Submitted by the Curriculum Committee, National Child Passenger Safety Board

Curriculum Webinar: 2014 Curriculum Orientation - CPST Instructors and ICs This webinar is only for Instructors and Instructor Candidates. Join this webinar to hear about the new curriculum. We will discuss the new layout and design, troubleshooting video,

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preparation tips and answer your questions! The key speakers will be Jennifer Huebner Davidson, the Child Passenger Safety Board (CPSB) Curriculum Chair and Sherri Cannon, the CPSB NHTSA Region representative. Guest appearances by the pilot course lead instructor and Safe Kids. 2014 Curriculum Orientation - CPST Instructors and ICs Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2014 Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST Register today!

CEU Corner | Top This section provides information on nationally available continuing education opportunities. We are not able to include information on state or local conferences, training or other technical updates if they cannot be made available nationally. This information is provided as a resource only. Events and activities listed here are not endorsed by Safe Kids unless otherwise noted. CPS Express CEU Corner Submissions: Please e-mail the necessary information (in the format below) to Kerry Chausmer.

Online Courses A variety of webinars are available online and free of charge. Learn more

Conferences (includes pre-conference dates) Lifesavers Conference Location: Nashville, TN Dates: April 27-29, 2014 For more information: http://lifesaversconference.org/index.html KIDZ IN MOTION (KIM) Location: Santa Ana Pueblo (Albuquerque), NM Dates: August 25-28, 2014 For more information: www.kidzinmotion.org

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Live Webinars Test your connection now! Go to http://bit.ly/testGTM and click on JOIN LIVE MEETING. If you have problems, you can talk with their customer support for assistance. Can I get credit for watching a webinar with a group? Read more Upcoming Webinars Safe Kids and State Farm present: Child Restraint Manufacturer Update: Summer Infant December 12, 2013 from 2 pm - 3 pm ET (East Coast/NY time) CPS CEUs available: 1 (CHES/MCHES credit is also available) Register now: http://bit.ly/Dec12CPST Safe Kids and State Farm present: Child Restraint Manufacturer: What's New January 23, 2014 from 2 pm - 3 pm ET (East Coast/NY time) CPS CEUs available: 1 (CHES/MCHES credit is also available) Register now: http://bit.ly/Jan23CPST More webinars coming soon! Mid-month updates posted at www.Facebook.com/CPScert

Ideas and Article Submissions Advocates and manufacturers are welcome to submit articles, or suggestions for articles, to the CPS Express! Send your ideas and submissions to [email protected]. All submissions will be edited for content and length.

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Safe Kids Worldwide CPS Certification 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 1000 Washington, DC 20004 [email protected] Phone: 877-366-8154 (toll free) Fax: 202-393-2072 Visit Our Web site | Join Us on Facebook | Log-in to Manage Your Account | Contact Us All Rights Reserved CPS Certification and Safe Kids Worldwide © 2013

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