Child Passenger Safety Week is September 19-25. Now is a good time to discuss important reminders about keeping kids safe in cars. Although many parents assume that their children's safety seats are indeed safe, approximately 75 percent of those seats are incorrectly installed.
Car Seats, Booster Seats, Seat Belts
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that all children should ride in the backseat until they are at least 12 years old. This reduces the chance of injury by 40 percent.
The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office (OHSO) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provide recommendations on the use of restraints for children of the following ages and sizes:
- Infant (birth to at least one year and 20 pounds): An infant or convertible car seat, facing the rear. Most often, it is safest to place the car seat in the middle seat.
- Toddler (at least one year and 20 pounds to approximately four years and 40 pounds): A convertible seat or a forward-facing car seat. Note, however, that facing the rear is preferable to facing forward, even when the child is past the infant stage. The car seat's manual should tell you when the seat must be turned forward if it is a convertible seat.
- Younger child (four years and 40 pounds to eight years and 80 pounds): A booster seat. The booster seat raises the child so that the car's seat belt fits.
- Older child (less than 4'9" tall and at least 70-80 pounds): A seat belt. The seat belt must fall across the child's hips (rather than the child's stomach) and the child's shoulder (rather than the child's neck).
Read the manual thoroughly every time you install a car seat or booster seat.
What You Can Do
A few simple steps will help you protect your child's safety:
- Get your car seat checked: Most states, including Oklahoma, provide a list of organizations that will help with car seat installation or inspection. Check the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office's website for more information.
- Research models: Doing your homework will help you find a car seat that meets the requirements of your child and your vehicle. Read product reviews and get advice from other parents and consumer organizations.
- Monitor recalls: Go to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website or the manufacturer's website to find out if your child's car seat or booster seat has been recalled.
- Replace when necessary: NHTSA recommends replacing any child safety seat after a moderate or severe crash.
Recent Recalls
The news has been filled with recalls of children's equipment lately, including car seats. Add that to the dangers presented by improper installation and some parents' failure to properly restrain their children, and the world can seem a dangerous place for children.
This is why Oklahoma law requires that children be restrained properly. Adults owe the children in their care the safest transportation available.
Seeking Legal Advice
Sometimes, no matter what we do to protect our children, accidents happen. If your child has been injured due to a faulty car seat, or because of another person's negligence, speak with an attorney who will advise you of your legal options.