Car crashes are the leading cause of death and serious injury in children. Your children are precious cargo that you want to protect. To make sure your child is properly restrained in the car, follow these guidelines:
Infants should use rear-facing car seats for as long as the weight and height limit indicated on the seat. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that infants remain in these types of seats until one year of age or until they reach 20 lbs.
After the one-year or 20 lbs mark, infants should ride in an approved forward-facing seat in the backseat until they reach the upper weight and height limit for that particular seat. This is usually around the age of 4 and 40lbs.
After the age of 4 and 40lbs mark, children should use a booster seat until the seat belt fits them properly. A seat belt fits properly when the lap belt lies across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest.
Once the seat belt fits properly, which is usually at the age of 8 and 4'9 tall, children can wear an adult seatbelt positioned in the backseat of the car.
Children under the age of 13 should always ride in the backseat. It is a safer place for them. A deployed airbag can seriously hurt a young child or infant riding in the front seat.
Never buy or use a used car seat. This car seat could have been recalled or if the seat was involved in a previous accident, it is not suppose to be used.
Many new cars used the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) as a means of attaching the car seat. LATCH is an installation system that was created to standardize the way child safety seats are attached to vehicles without having to use a seat belt. LATCH consists of two lower attachments and an upper tether on a child safety seat that anchors and connects with lower anchors and a top tether built into a vehicle's back seat. Read your car owner's manual and car seat instructions for information on using the LATCH system.
Visit the NHTSA website to find information on car seat recalls regularly. They also have information on locating a child seat fitting station to ensure that you have installed your car seat properly.
Remember...
Set a good example by always wearing your seatbelt and buckle up your children as well.
Never allow children to ride in the back of a pick-up truck or other vehicle unrestrained.
Never allow your child to play in a vehicle. This sends the wrong message to a child. They may play in a vehicle without your knowledge and get stuck in it or put it in gear.
Never leave your child unattended in a vehicle. On hot days, children can suffocate in a car in a very short period of time.
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By Veronica Scott
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