Meet the Russells—

Charlotte (4), Carson (2 ½), (Helen 5m)

It was a beautiful summer morning... the first day of August.  My husband was in the mountains enjoying a weekend reunion with college friends.  I was determined not to stay cooped up in the house all day with 3 children so we packed up the van and headed to the farmers market.  We enjoyed a nice stroll, some fresh baked goods, and I picked up some beautiful fresh picked flowers, some okra and peaches and we headed home.  It was 10:30am... we were less than a mile from home.  Not on the interstate, on a road we travel often, just minutes from our house.

It all happened so fast…  I wish my story was that someone else hit me, that some idiot ran a red light, or that a drunk driver hit us.  But unfortunately, I was the one at fault.    I didn’t even see it coming, but somehow I ran a red light at 40/mph.  I T-boned a car going the opposite direction and my van spun around, doing a 180 and landing against a sign in the center median, facing the opposite direction we had been going.

I ended up with very bad bruising on my lower legs due to a lower airbag and a cracked sternum.  My 3 children were totally unharmed.  I believe 100% that my children walking away safely was due two things---

1-      My decision to keep the older 2 in 5 pt harnesses longer

2-      My commitment to a tight installation of seats and tight straps every drive

Rewind  to April…My daughter had been in an Eddie Bauer 5pt harness but it only went to 40 lbs.  She was 41lbs and I knew we needed a new carseat.  I did a ton of research and after watching the Kyle’s Video resolved to keep my children in 5pt harnesses until they were 6 or older.

Here is the blogpost I wrote about my decision to harness longer

http://littlellamas.blogspot.com/2009/02/mama-talkhow-long-to-keep-your-toddler.html

I ended up buying Charlotte an Apex 65 which got great reviews as a harnessed carseat and I was so pleased with it.  Carson moved into the Eddie Bauer, and Helen was in a Graco Snugride (pic below taken in April)

After the accident I shared with all my friends how confident I was that my children were safe due to their 5 pt harnesses.  Still, I have friends who insist that their 3 or 4 year olds (some even under  40lbs) are big enough to be in boosters.      While I love these friends, I whole heartedly disagree.  I have learned firsthand that anything can happen… to anyone.  Not just on the interstate…around the corner from your house.   I often hear the reasoning “well we are just running errands around town”… well, the majority of major car accidents happen around town.   Mine happened minutes from home, on a street I travel all the time.

We replaced out seats with 2 Gaco Nautilus and a Britax Roundabout.  (We borrowed an infant carrier for Helen a for a few months for convenience)

I am a firm believer in the 5pt harness and encourage all my friends to keep their kids harnessed, to tighten carseat straps, and to install carseats tightly!  My life has been forever changed from my accident, but I will be forever grateful for your video.  Because of it, I made the wise decision to keep my kids harnessed.

Safe Driving!

Carrie Russell

Mama Llama

www.litttllamas.blogspot.com

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