Child car seat safety guide

Car seat safety

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among kids aged 2-14 years – every single day during 2006, around five children aged 14 and under were killed in a crash and 568 were injured.

Research indicates that child safety seats reduce fatal injuries by 71% in under-1s and 54% 1-4 year olds. Most of us use them – and around 392 under-5s involved in car accidents through 2006 survived because they were sitting in one. But some parents still don’t use them – around 35% of under-5s killed in car crashes in 2006 were totally unrestrained in the car. The NHTSA reckons that in 2005 an additional 98 under-5s would have survived the car accident in which they died, had they been sitting in a child safety seat.

Choosing the right seat

No one seat is necessarily better or safer than other options, and cheaper seats are just as good as pricier ones as long as it’s easy to use, it fits your child’s size, you install it correctly and you use it properly every time you drive your child in the car. Follow these tips to help you decide…

• For babies under 12 months and less than 20Ib in weight, choose a rear-facing infant seat to use in the back seat of your car.
• For toddlers over 12 months and over 20Ib in weight, choose a forward-facing toddler seat to use in the back seat of your car up until your child is 4 years of age and weighs at least 40Ib.
• For older children use a booster seat in the back seat of your car from 4-8 years or until your child is at least 4' 9" in height. After this, continue to use a booster cushion if your car seat belts don’t safely fit your child.
• Ignore the price All seats have to meet federal safety standards – paying more for it doesn’t mean it’s any safer.
• Check it fits your child Sit him in it and check that he’s comfortable and that the harness can be adjusted to fit him.
• Make sure it fits your car Different makes and models of car have different length seat belts, so if you’re using the adult belt to secure the seat check that it’s long enough.
• Follow the instructions carefully when installing the car seat – and bear in mind that pictures or displays of car safety seats may not show them being used the right way”

Using it safely

Remember that every car seat is different – read the instructions carefully and follow them always.

• Install it correctly If you’re using the adult seat belt to secure the car seat, make sure it’s routed properly through the car seat slots. Pull the belt as tight as possible – there should be little or no movement in the car seat. If you need help installing it, contact a certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Technician – call Seatcheck at 866-732-8243 or log onto its website to find a local inspection station.
• Always use it starting with your trip home from hospital with your newborn to those quick 20-minute jaunts to the local store to pick up milk with your preschooler.
• Use the right type of seat for your baby or child’s age and size.
• Keep it in back of you Never position a rear-facing infant seat in the front seat of a vehicle that has a passenger air bag. With older children, keep in mind that they’re safer in the back.
• Buckle up yourself to set a good example to your older children.

 

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