Car Seat Safety is Key to Keeping Your Little Ones Safe on the Road
Terri Marshall
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Choosing the right car seat will keep the little ones in your life safe.
The last time I bought a car seat was 1982 when my second child was born. Things have changed since then…for the better. And although car seat safety isn’t on my mind every day, when I’m driving the grandkids around for adventures during my visits, nothing is more important than car seat safety.
Statistics tell us that every 33 seconds a child under 13 is involved in a car crash in the United States. It’s not a happy statistic, but it is a reality we should all consider when driving our children or grandchildren. And really, you shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not your little angels are safely snuggled into the right car seat every time you get in the car. Instead, make sure you are using the right car seat from the get-go.
Photo: Courtesy NHTSA.
Safety seats, if used correctly, can dramatically reduce the risk of fatality or injury. But over half of car seats are misused in a way that could reduce their effectiveness and 1 in 3 children killed in car crashes were completely unrestrained at the time of the crash. Losing a child in a car accident is a reality none of us should ever have to face, so let’s make sure we are using the right car seats for the age and weight of our precious cargo.
Car seat safety tips: Don’t assume you know, be sure
I will be the first to admit I have no idea how to choose the correct car seat for my grandkids – but thankfully their parents do. Here are some tips for making sure you are using the right restraints to keep your treasures safe:
- Find a car seat that fits your child. As children grow, how they fit in their car seat will change. Make sure the car seat you purchase is designed to fit your child’s current size and age.
- Not all car seats fit in all vehicles so test the car seat you plan to buy to make sure it fits correctly in your vehicle.
- Before installing your car seat in your vehicle and putting your child in the car seat, read the manufacturer’s instructions so you know how your car seat works.
- All-in-One car seats offer you the advantage of using the same seat for the following positions: rear-facing, forward-facing with harness, then booster. These seats typically have higher height and weight limits for the rear-facing position, allowing you to keep your child rear-facing for a longer period of time.
For more information on safety tips and choosing the correct car seat visit www.SaferCar.gov/TheRightSeat.