AAA has identified the top child safety mistakes parents and caregivers make in cars, one being that 75% of car seats are improperly installed. Here’s how to correct them!:
Mistake 1: Moving a Child Out of a Booster Seat Too Soon
Seatbelts will not fit properly on a child that is too young to be out of a booster seat.
Wait until the lap position fits across the hips, not the abdomen, and the shoulder belt fits centered on the shoulder.
Mistake 2: Seat or Straps Aren’t Tight Enough
If the car seat and straps aren’t tight enough, the seat will move and will not protect the child in an accident.
Make sure the seat does not move more than an inch when you strap it in. Check to make sure the harness straps are snug.
Mistake 3: Turning a Child Forward-Facing Too Soon
Young children are better protected if they are rear-facing in a car seat.
Wait until a child is 2-years-old to turn him or her forward-facing.
Mistake 4: Allowing a Child Under 13 to Ride in the Passengers Seat
Front seat belts are not designed for smaller bodies. Also, in the event of a crash, the air bags can seriously injure a smaller frame.
Wait until the child is in their teens to allow riding in the front seat.
Mistake 5: Using LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) Restraint System Incorrectly
Not using the top tether will allow the child’s head to experience excessive forward movement in crashes.
Ensure LATCH works in the seat position you have chosen and that the top tether is tightened snugly.
Mistake 6: Transporting Unsecured Items, Including Pets
Larger items such as suitcases and pets can become dangerous projectiles in a car crash.
Secure all cargo, including your pets.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident due to the negligence of another driver, the experienced attorneys at Finkelstein and Partners can help.
Source: ABCNews