As summer quickly approaches, more families will be on the road to their vacations.
According to Safe Kids Worldwide:
1. Road injuries are the leading cause of preventable deaths and injuries to children in the United States
2. Correctly used, child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71%
3. Three out of four car seats are not used or installed correctly
These are pretty startling statistics, given the fact that in 2017 Texas had 382,050 births reported.
In this article, we’ll discuss some car seat safety tips that can possibly save your young passenger’s life.
Car Seat Safety Tips
Do Your Homework
It is important that you research the best car seat for you and your vehicle. Some qualifications to look for in a safe car seat are (used and new):
- Clear & concise installation instructions & a valid manufacture label & model number
- Clean & not damaged or missing parts
- Has never been in a car accident
Place & Install the Car Seat in the Correct Area
Safe Kids Worldwide reported 3 out of 4 car seats aren’t properly installed or placed in the wrong spot.
The safest spot for a car seat is in the back seat, away from active airbags. If ever in an accident and the car seat is in the way of an airbag, damage could occur to the child and the car seat. If it is necessary the car seat must be in the front seat, turn off the passenger airbags.
If there is only one car seat being installed in the vehicle, place it in the center, away from the passenger doors. This can help minimize the chance of injury during a crash.
Make sure that the car seat is reclined at the right angle and be sure to follow the manufacturers’ instructions in order to maximize optimum safety standards.
Always Review Manufacturer Instructions
Always, always review the manufacturer instructions. Different brands may have different installation instructions that aren’t universal to other car seats.
It is important to always review the instructions in order to keep the child in the safety seat as safe as possible.
Be Aware
Finally, the driver should always be aware of their surroundings when transporting passengers, especially a young passenger in a car seat.
Drive with care and always stay safe on the road!
Accidents happen, but Payne Collision Center is here to help! Click here to request an estimate and follow Payne Collision Center on Facebook!
