This Baby Safety Month, Chicco® Reminds Parents To TurnAfter2™, Follow Best Car Seat Practices

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Sep 07, 2017, 09:00 ET

LANCASTER, Pa., Sept. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a survey from Chicco, makers of top-rated infant and convertible car seats, and brand behind the public awareness initiative called TurnAfter2, 71 percent of parents don't like giving, or receiving, unsolicited parenting advice, which can make sharing critical information with each other uncomfortable. Fortunately, September is Baby Safety Month, an annual milestone not only devoted to providing parents and caregivers with tips on how to safely use and select products made for kids, but also enabling constructive information sharing.

Chicco launched the TurnAfter2 initiative earlier this year to do their part in encouraging parents to share educational safety information with their peers, without offending them or appearing judgmental of their parenting practices. TurnAfter2 is intended to be a simple rule of thumb reminder for parents to adhere to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendation not to turn a child forward-facing until two years old¹. By using #TurnAfter2 to tag photos of their children riding in a vehicle rear-facing, parents can use social media to spark positive, educational conversations around the importance of keeping kids rear-facing longer.

"New parents are really nervous. Your child is the thing you care most about, but babies don't come with user manuals," said Daphne Oz, celebrity ambassador for TurnAfter2. "That's why it's important that we lean on each other for positive parenting tips and advice. Sharing photos of your kids rear-facing on social media using #TurnAfter2 is a non-confrontational way to make an example of yourself and hopefully remind other parents in your network that they too should keep their little one rear-facing so they're as safe as possible on the road."

Parents and advocates are not the only ones sharing the importance of keeping children rear-facing until at least age two – this year, state legislators across the country have introduced bills that, if passed, would mandate the practice in their states. At the start of 2017, only four states (California, New Jersey, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania) passed legislation requiring parents and caregivers to keep children rear-facing in the car until at least age two, but since then, three states (South Carolina, Rhode Island and Oregon) have followed suit, with six additional states (Connecticut, Texas, Nebraska, New York, Massachusetts and Washington) considering their own laws as well.

"This year, I was pleased to be a part of successfully passing legislation in my home state of Oregon that requires parents to keep their kids rear-facing until at least age two," said Dr. Benjamin Hoffman, a pediatrician and nationally recognized expert in child passenger safety.

"Laws establish a baseline that helps families better understand the safest ways to travel with their children in cars. We know that changing laws to get as close to what we know to be best-practice is an effective tool in getting parents and caregivers to change their practices. Good laws and effective education campaigns together can do even more to protect kids!"

Educating parents about car seat safety is always a top priority for Chicco, and Baby Safety Month is no different. This year during Baby Safety Month, Chicco will be sharing educational tips on their social media channels, distributing educational materials at consumer fairs and advocate events and, partnering with prenatal yoga centers to educate expectant moms.

Also, during Child Passenger Safety Week, Chicco will be giving away five Fit2™ Infant and Toddler Car Seats to parents in an effort to help keep kids rear-facing in the car longer. The Fit2, a first of its kind car seat innovation, offers two distinct stages to comfortably accommodate both infants and toddlers, without compromising any space in the vehicle and making it easier and more convenient for parents to keep their child rear-facing until at least age two.

"Chicco is a known leader when it comes to car seat safety, having designed the top-rated infant and convertible seats on the market," said Dr. David Hill, pediatrician and Chicco child passenger safety spokesperson. "I'm thrilled to be working with them throughout Baby Safety Month to educate parents on ways to keep their kids safer in the car, and hope that these efforts will encourage parents to talk to each other more openly about the importance of car seat safety."

How Parents Can Get Involved with TurnAfter2 During Baby Safety Month:

Share on Social Media: Chicco wants parents to show how they're keeping their kids riding rear-facing for as long as possible. Whether it's using an infant car seat, a convertible car seat, or a Fit2™, parents who share their photos on social media using #TurnAfter2 can inspire others to do the same.
Reach Out to State Government Officials: In states that have not already proposed a law requiring parents to keep children rear-facing until at least age two, reach out to local government officials encouraging them to consider this type of legislation.

For more information on TurnAfter2, please visit www.turnafter2.com. For more information on the Fit2 Infant and Toddler Car Seat, available for a suggested retail price of $279.99, visit www.chiccofit2.com.

ABOUT CHICCO

Chicco USA is the American subsidiary of Chicco, the leading European baby brand with global headquarters in Como, Italy. Chicco is the only multi-specialist baby brand in the world, providing babies from birth to 36 months with all the products they need to grow, covering the toys, fashion, gear, nursing, and baby care categories. Founded in 1958, Chicco is part of the Artsana SpA group, one of Italy's leading family-owned corporations with more than 7000 employees and 25 branches throughout the world.

SURVEY METHODOLOGY

This survey was conducted online within the United States by Chicco from December 20-26, 2016 among a sample of 501 American parents of children ages 0-2.

¹ Durbin DR, & Committee on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention. (2011). Child passenger safety. Pediatrics. 2011;127(4):e1050-1066.

SOURCE Chicco