A Philadelphia Baby Was Taken To Hospital After Being Ejected From Vehicle

An accident occurred on Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia on Sunday night that caused a baby to be ejected from the vehicle.

The baby was said to be approximately 3-4-months-old. The baby was reportedly not seriously injured but was taken to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children for observation.

As of now, officials say that no charges will be filed.

When incidents occur like this, it certainly makes people wonder if the child was safely strapped into his or her car seat.

Car seat safety laws are becoming more and more strict in Pennsylvania. According to Philly Daily News, a new law hit Pennsylvania.

As of August 2016, all children up to age 2 must be strapped into a rear-facing car seat, or at least until they have outgrown their car seat for their height and weight.

YO! PA: New #carseat law goes into effect in 8/12 rear-facing until age 2 https://t.co/cDc6l1U5oJ pic.twitter.com/8ahtFiR7Ci

— Safe Kids Advocacy (@SKWAdvocate) July 29, 2016

For the first year, warnings will be given to those who do not comply with this law, but starting in August 2017, offenders will be fined $125 for any child under age two who are not safely strapped into a rear-facing car seat.

Rear-facing car seats are now being made that have extensions for older toddlers. While rear facing has been said to be the safest way for your child to travel, it can now be up to age 4 or 5 with the extended rear facers, according to Parenting.

Parenting announced that the extended rear facers allow children up to 40 pounds, some even more, to stay rear facing for safety.

Mayo Clinic describes ten most common mistakes that people make when it comes to safely traveling with their children.

1. How many people have bought used car seats? When you buy a used car seat, you must research it’s history. Be certain that it hasn’t had any recalls. If shouldn’t be more than six-months old or be expired. Also, always make sure it hasn’t been in a moderate to severe car accident.
2. Do not place the car seat in an unsafe spot. The best place for your child is always the back seat. Further, it is best to put it in the center to reduce risk of injury should you ever be in a car accident.
3. Do not replace a crib with a car seat. A study shows that babies sitting upright for extended periods of time can decrease oxygen.
4. Check the manufacturing instructions while installing the car seat to be certain it is installed correctly. The harness should be even with your child’s armpits, not down by his or her stomach or up close to the neck.
5. Check the angle indicator on the car seat to make sure it has the correct incline. If you are unable to achieve the correct incline, you can use a rolled blanket or towel to place under the front edge of the car seat.
6. As stressed in this article, do not turn your child to front-facing too soon. If your child is under age two or weighs less than 35 pounds, you should keep your child in a rear-facing position. Parents should take advantage of the rear-facing extenders for children up to 5-years-old.
7. Do not dress your child in heavy, bulky clothing. I know this one can be tough in the winter time, but the harness does not adequately protect your child if he or she is dressed in bulky clothing. Instead, put a lightweight jacket and a hat on your child.
8. Do not move your child to a booster seat too soon. Children are allowed to be in a booster seat once they reach 40-pounds and up to 80-pounds. Remember, as long as your child fits into a car seat with a harness, he or she is most safe in a car seat.
9. If your child is using a booster, be certain to always use a lap and shoulder belt, not just a lap belt. The lap belt should be snug against your child’s thighs and the shoulder belt should be across the chest and shoulder.

10. Most older kids should be in a booster seat up to 12-years-old. You know your child is ready to lose the booster seat if he or she has reached 4’9? and can comfortably sit on the seat with the knees bent. Further, the lap and shoulder belt should fit your child as if it does with a booster seat- across the chest and shoulder, not the neck and face.

While the baby ejected from the vehicle in the Philadelphia crash is thought to be in stable condition, we will update with any new information as it becomes available.

[Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images]