The Importance of Car Seats

Did you know that the leading cause of injury and death for children is motor vehicle crashes? Car seats can reduce the risk of injury from accidents by as much as 71 – 82% while also reducing the risk of death by 28% when compared to children who are only secured by a seat belt.   

All occupants of a vehicle should be properly restrained either by a seat belt or a car seat so that injury can be prevented in the event of a sudden stop, crash, or swerve. Car seats and seat belts come into contact with the strongest areas of the body and spread the force from the crash over a wider area to help slow the body down and they also offer protection to the spinal cord and brain.

In the Event of an Accident

Every state has laws regarding children and the use of car seats. If you are in a vehicular accident and have a child in a car seat with you in the vehicle, you will want to get in touch with one of the car accident attorneys in the area who have experience with legal case briefs. For example, in the San Diego area, you might contact Mike Pines. Be sure that you contact legal help in the area where the accident was, regardless of where you might live. 

Types of Car Seats

There are all different types and brands of car seats out there. How do you know which one is right for you and your child? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the American Academy of Pediatrics released guidelines on which types are best. You will notice that there are many companies that make each type of these seats – including Evenflo. If you want to be sure that you are getting the right type, try to keep up with the latest government regulations.

Choosing Car Seats

When it comes to choosing car seats, they basically fall into 3 categories:

• Baby – these should always be rear-facing. They will have a limit on weight between 25 and 35 pounds. Once this weight limit has been reached, your child should be moved to a convertible rear facing seat.

• Convertible – these serve a double function. For smaller babies and toddlers, they face the rear of the vehicle and for larger children, they face forward. Many of them are designed to be able to hold children as heavy as 40 pounds while in the rear facing position and 70 pounds in the front facing position.

• Booster – These seats can have a back or be backless. They are meant for use with children who are a minimum of 4 years old and weigh a minimum of 40 pounds. With these seats, the regular seat belt in the vehicle is used to secure the child into the seat.

Use these recommendations when trying to determine the type of car seat you need.

Basic Guidelines for Use

The best car seat will be the one that fits your car, your child, and the needs of your family in terms of convenience and comfort so that you will be sure to use it every time the child is in the car. 

The seat should be installed so that it will not move more than an inch sideways or to the front of the vehicle. Straps need to be threaded through the various slots at or a bit below the shoulders of the child in a car seat that is rear facing and through the slots at the top of car seats that face forward. In seats that are only forward facing – not convertible – the straps should be right above or at the shoulders of the child. The harness needs to be comfortable yet tight enough so that the webbing can’t be pinched between your fingers. The level of the harness retainer clip needs to be directly level with the child’s armpits. 

Any coats or blankets should be placed on top of the harness. Children should always be seated in the rear seat of the vehicle, especially when the vehicle has air bags. Never use a rear facing seat in the front seat when there are air bags.