I am sure at some point in your life you have heard someone say “No one used car seats in my day, and we all turned out okay.” That may be true—but I think I will take raw data over anecdotes from people “back in the day.” Wouldn’t you? It is simple, really—car crashes are a leading cause of death for children one to thirteen years old. Many times deaths and injuries can be prevented by proper use of car seats, booster seats, and seat belts. Those are the facts. And scary ones at that!
As a mom of two very busy boys—you know that safety is at the top of my list! Especially when it comes to making sure that they are safe when we pull out of the driveway and onto the busy roads. If you are a parent, it is very likely that you have spent countless hours researching your new baby’s car seat or which car seat you need to buy next as your child grows and grows. While a good car seat is vital for protecting your child in the event of a crash, it is not enough on its own. Even the best car seats cannot force you to properly install them or buckle your child in.
Every 33 seconds one child under age 13 is involved in a car crash—but safety seats, if used correctly and installed correctly, dramatically reduce the risk of fatality or injury to children.
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Is Your Child In #TheRightSeat?
- Your child under age one should always ride in a rear-facing car seat.
- Children ages one to three should be kept rear-facing as long as possible.
- Keep your child in the back seat at least through age twelve.
- Be certain you’ve installed your car seat correctly by having it checked at an inspection station or by a certified child passenger safety technician. Bring the Car Seat Instructions AND the Vehicle Owner’s Manual with you to a seat check appointment!
Installation Resources:If a car seat is not installed correctly, your child’s safety could be in danger. Every car seat has different installation instructions. You can find resources and tips here to help you get “the right fit” on your car seats.
Free Car Seat Checks:During Child Passenger Safety Week, there will be more than 600 events in 45 states across the country, where certified child passenger safety technicians will inspect car seats and show parents and caregivers how to correctly install and use them. In most cases, this service is free of charge. Click the link to find a location near you.
As a parent, you are your kids’ strongest influence when it comes to modeling safe driving practices, including buckling up every time you get in the car. Teach your family that safety is the responsibility of all passengers as well as the driver.
Get this message out to your friends and family!
- Twitter – Many parents do not realize their child is in the wrong car seat. Visit http://www.safercar.gov/therightseat and make sure your child is riding safely. #therightseat.
- Facebook – Storks know how to keep kids safe. Do you? Visit http://www.safercar.gov/therightseat to know for sure that your child is in the right seat for their age and size. #STORKS #TheRightSeat
