Home > Blog > Car Seat Safety

Car Seat Safety

Posted by: at 12:33 PM on July 16th, 2015

Road injuries are the leading cause of preventable deaths and injuries to children in the US.  Correctly used child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71 percent.  

Seventy-three percent of car seats are not used or installed correctly, so before you hit the road, check your car seat.

Car Seat Safety

Seat belts are mandatory for children and adults of all ages. Until your child meets the age, height and weight requirements, use a properly installed approved car seat.

From birth to at least 12 months of age a child should be placed in a rear-facing car seat.

Children can move from a rear-facing car seat to a forward-facing car seat when they are between 1 and 3 years of age, but you should try to keep your child rear-facing as long as possible.

Once your child has moved to a forward-facing car seat, he or she should continue to use the seat until the top manufacturer height or weight limits have been reached. This generally occurs between the ages of 4 and 7. This type of car seat should be tethered to the vehicle’s seat, and should ideally have a five-point harness.

Children between the ages of four and twelve can move to a booster seat as long as they have outgrown the limits on a forward-facing car seat with a harness. If the seat belt does not fit snugly across the child’s upper thighs, it may be too early to transition, or a seat belt adjuster could be necessary.

It is also important to check the model of your child’s car seat against the NHTSA’s list to make sure it has not been recalled, even if recently purchased. Defective car seats could lead to serious injuries and may fail to provide protection against injury in a car accident.

If an accident occurs and you or a loved one are injured, contact the attorneys at LDM&M.   Acting promptly to preserve your rights is essential after any accident.  For over 40 years, the attorneys at LDM&M have been helping individuals across Wisconsin receive the legal satisfaction that they deserve.  Contact our offices for a free, personal consolation.