Public Health: Child car seat safety

Every day in America, too many children ride in car seats that have been installed incorrectly or are the wrong car seats for their age and size. Other children still ride while completely unbuckled. According to the United States Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 59 percent of car seats are misused.

Every 33 seconds, a child under 13 years of age is involved in a crash according to NHTSA. Using car seats that are age and size appropriate is the best way to keep your child safe. Motor vehicle crashes are a leading killer of children and car seats, booster seats, and seat belts can make all the difference. In 2014, there were 252 children under 5 years of age were saved because they were riding in the correct car seats. Car seats matter, and having the right car seat installed and used the right way is critical.

Often parents move their children to the front seat before they should, which increases the risk of injury and death. The safest place for all kids under 13 is in the back seat of cars. Also according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about 24 percent of children 4 to 7 years old who should be riding in booster seats were prematurely moved to seat belts, and 9 percent were unbuckled altogether. It’s our job to keep our children safe by using car seats that are properly fitted and properly installed. Even if you think your child is safe check again, so you can be sure your child is the safest he or she can be while traveling.

NHTSA recommends keeping children rear facing as long as possible up to the top height or weight allowed by their particular seats. Once a child outgrows the rear facing only infant car seat, he/she should travel in a rear facing convertible or all in one car seat with a harness and tether strap. After outgrowing the forward facing car seats with harness, children should be placed in booster seats until they’re the right size to use seat belts safely.

Always remember to register your car seat and booster seat with the car seat manufacturer so you can be notified in the event of a recall. Parents and caregivers can view more information on car seat safety.

Jasper County Public Health is located in the County Annex Building, 115 N. Second Ave. E. in Newton.