Car Safety ABCs

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By Suzanne Dixon M.D., M.P.H.

"There is nothing so amazing as the development of a child," says Suzanne Dixon, M.D., a behavioral and developmental pediatrician who was one of the founding members of the Pampers Parenting Network. "Every day is a new adventure when you have a child around you. I never get tired of learning from the children who have been a part of my life, professionally and personally."

Suzanne Dixon, M.D., M.P.H., was born and raised in Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota, School of Medicine. She did her pediatric training at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and then completed a fellowship in Child Development at Boston's Children's Hospital. Dr. Dixon joined the faculty at the University of California, San Diego, and did patient care, teaching, and research for 20 years. She ran a large newborn service, performed research in early child development, and was involved in many community outreach activities in maternal child health. Throughout her entire professional life she has maintained an interest in cross-cultural activities, living and working in many parts of the world, including Mexico, India, Kenya, Indonesia, and several countries from the former U.S.S.R.

Dr. Dixon is the author of numerous research articles, review articles, and textbook chapters in pediatrics, child and family development, and public health. Her textbook, written with Dr. Martin Stein, Encounters With Children: Pediatric Behavior and Development, has become a classic in child health education and is in its fourth edition. She is Editor in Chief of the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, an international journal of high standing in the professional world. She also has served as an associate editor for Infant Mental Health and currently reviews for several major pediatric journals.

Dr. Dixon is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and served in national positions in that organization. She is a member of the Society for Pediatric Research, the Society for Research in Child Development, the American Public Health Association, and the Executive Council of the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. She serves as consultant to several national and international organizations and has received an award from Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies.

Dr. Dixon continues to lecture and consult worldwide on aspects of maternal, child, and family health. She practices behavioral and developmental pediatrics in Montana and works with local advocacy groups on education and women's health. Dr. Dixon has been married for over 30 years and has three sons. She and her husband travel frequently, are outdoor enthusiasts, and enjoy being amateur anthropologists

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For your child's sake and your own peace of mind, make sure your car safety smarts are up to par. These tips will help:

Before you ever put your vehicle in gear, check to see exactly where your child is. That way there's no chance of accidentally hitting her. Until checking becomes a reflex, put a small picture of your toddler on the visor or on your key ring to help you remember.
Always look before closing automatic windows, and always use your car's automatic door and window locks to keep your toddler safe inside. The locks ensure that she can't toss things out the window or get her hands caught. (In older cars, use the manual locks and position the car seat away from windows and doors.)
Always use a federally approved, age- and size-appropriate car seat (consult our car seat shopping guide). Your toddler should always ride in the back seat, especially if you have air bags.
Make your car a no-smoking zone.
Never leave your toddler alone in the car, not even for a minute.
Be sure your toddler isn't in direct sunlight while she's in the car. Move her to the center of the back seat and use a window screen if necessary.

How old is your baby? | Safety

Car Safety ABCs

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