Know all the Laws and Regulations to keep your Kids Safe
When you have a new child, one of the many purchases you make in preparation is a car seat. If you are thinking that all car seats are the same—think again. Buying a car seat is not a matter of style, preference, or price. It is most important to have your child in the right car seat for their size and weight if you want them to remain safe in the event of a collision.
Sadly, many children are in the wrong type of seats for their size either because parents are uninformed about regulations, or the car seat is outdated for the child’s needs. When purchasing a car seat, it’s important to not prematurely graduate your child to a seat that is too large for him or her, and as the child grows, you must keep their seat updated. Read on to learn about the laws and regulations regarding car seats that are designed to keep your kids as safe as possible.
Rear-Facing Car Seats
These car seats are the most beneficial type of seat for infants and babies and toddlers. In fact, research shows that rear-facing seats are 500% safer for children up to two years of age than front-facing seats. This is because during a collision, a rear-facing seat cradles and moves with the baby, greatly reducing stress from the impact on the neck and head. Because a rear-facing position is actually beneficial for all ages, experts suggest keeping your child in a rear facing seat until they meet either the height or weight limitation set by the manufacturer.
Forward-Facing Car Seats
Once your child has surpassed the height or weight limit on rear-facing car seats, move them to a forward-facing seat with a 5-point harness. Five-point harness systems are used to divert impact to the strongest parts of the body: the shoulders and hips. Because of their ability to minimize injury, 5-point harnesses are used by race car drivers and fighter pilots. As with rear-facing seats, your child should remain in a forward-facing car seat until they have once again reached the limitation set by the manufacturer.
Booster Seats
Before completely discontinuing use of a car seat, your child should be moved to a booster seat. Because car safety belts are made to fit adults, children under 4’ 9” need a boost in the seat to ensure that the lap and shoulder belts sit properly on the child. Without a booster seats, seat belts may cause injury in a collision, rather than prevent it. Studies show that the use of a booster seat lessens the chance of injury to a child by 45%. It is recommended that children use booster seats until they are at least 8 years old and 4’ 9” tall.
Installation
Car seats come with manufacturer’s instructions for proper installation. For safety and comfort reasons, it is essential for these instructions to be followed exactly. If you do not have the instructions for your child’s car seat, note the make and model and search for them online, or call the manufacturer directly. When placing your child in the seat, ensure that their back is firmly against the back of the seat and that the bottom and head are positioned correctly. Also make sure that the straps are free of any twists. The harness clip should be even with the child’s shoulders or armpits, and there shouldn’t be more than 1 finger’s slack in the belts. The seat belt must also be attached properly and pulled snug.
While many parents understand the need for a car seat, it isn’t as simple as picking up whichever seat you like best and buckling it into the car. Do your research about the recommendations for your child’s car seat needs based on height and weight to ensure they are in the correct seat. By providing the proper seat for your child, you can drive with the peace of mind that your child is as protected as possible in the case of an accident. The information for this article was provided by the personal injury attorneys in Covington, KY at Monohan & Blankenship.
