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ARTICLE: Mark V. Wegner and Deborah C. Girasek How Readable Are Child Safety Seat Installation Instructions? Pediatrics 2003; 111: 588-591 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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When in doubt, ask for help

mark alexander   (4 March 2003)

Response to "When in doubt, ask for help"

Deborah C Girasek   (5 March 2003)

CSS Instructions

Luis A Ortiz   (19 June 2008)

When in doubt, ask for help 4 March 2003
mark alexander, parent Send letter to journal: Re: When in doubt, ask for help marka{at}aquariusltd.com mark alexander	It is certain that the language used in child safety seat instructions is difficult to understand. This is true of the instructions needed to operate a lot of potrentially dangerous things like cars, bikes and hedge trimmers. A single error in assembling or using any of the above could have tragic consequences. The language in instructions tends to be legalistic, precise and formal. In a letigious society, informallanguage is hardly an option. Imprecise leads to confision. You suggest substituting "crash" for "collision." "Crash" has many meanings. "Collision" is much more precise. Here is one suggested revision which might serve the interests of all. It is simple. "If these instructions are confusing, please ask someone you know for help in understanding them. Or ask for assistance at a police station." We all need help from time to time regardless of our reading level. The other day, I had to ask a mechanic how to install a windshield wiper blade. This was not because I cannot read at the 12th grade level. I asked because he had done it many times before and I was a novice who couldn't quite grasp what turned out to be a pretty simple process.
Response to "When in doubt, ask for help" 5 March 2003
Deborah C Girasek, Faculty member of a Preventive Medicine Department Uniformed Services University Send letter to journal: Re: Response to "When in doubt, ask for help" DGirasek{at}usuhs.mil Deborah C Girasek	Child safety seats are utilized incorrectly approximately 80% of the time. Although the product's design is probably the biggest contributor to this problem, we wanted to explore whether the instructions that came with them could also be improved. To that end, we tested how readable the instructions were. Using a standardized test, that is based in large part on the number of polysyllabic words the instructions contained,we found that the instructions were written at a level that is not compatible with the abilities of a large proportion of American parents. To illustrate how a material's reading level can be reduced, we provided examples of how short words can often be substituted for longer words. We noted that any intended improvements should be tested for their impact. Mr. Alexander noted that the instructions that accompany many products are difficult to understand. He is correct, but that is no justification for allowing this state of affairs to continue. We focused on car seats because they have proven effective in preventing a large proportion of motor vehicle crash deaths, which are the leading cause of death for children in our country. Mr. Alexander's suggestion of telling parents where they might go to get expert assistance if they are having trouble installing their car seat is something that could be tried and tested. It relies on people knowing that they are not installing the seat correctly however. There are also data to suggest that adults who can't read well try to hide their lack of skills. Nonetheless, he should feel free to pass his idea on to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration since they oversee regulation of shild safety seat manufacturers. Dr. Deborah Girasek
CSS Instructions 19 June 2008
Luis A Ortiz, Student/Safety Coordinator Intern University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Send letter to journal: Re: CSS Instructions Ortizla25{at}uww.edu Luis A Ortiz	It is true that the common misuse rate for CSS is a national concern and obviously individuals are installing these CSS incorrectly because they are lacking awareness in proper CSS installation. I am very interested in conducting further research on the effectiveness of instruction labels because there is clearly an issue with the level of which these instructions are written. Conflict of Interest: None declared