Proper use of child safety seats
Improper use of a child's safety seat remains the leading cause of injury and death in children riding in cars that are involved in accidents, according to experts.
According to research done by Dr. Karen Judy an assoc. professor in the pediatrics dept. at Loyola university Chicato Stritch School of Medicine, 70% of car seats are not properly installed. .
Using a child car seat properly is vital in keeping children safe in the event of an accident.
"If your child weighs less than 80 pounds and is shorter than 57 inches, a seat belt will lay across the child's neck and belly. In the event of an accident this puts pressure on sensitive areas with the potential for serious injuries, including spinal cord and abdominal injuries or even death. No matter how short the trip, if your child is in the car, he or she should be in a child safety seat," Judy said in the news release.
Dr. Judy offers the following tips to keep children safe in a car seat:
Make sure your child's car seat is the correct size for their age, height and weight. Infant car seats should always be placed rear-facing and can hold up carry an infant up to 22lbs. Children over the age of 1 and who weigh more than 20lbs can placed in forward facing car seats. These can be used until the child is at least 4 years, or weighs more than 40 lbs.
Over the age of 4 and up until 8 years, should use a booster seat until they are at least 4 feet 9 inches or taller, regardless of their age.
Children under the age of 13 should ride in the back seat. A child under the age of 13 and riding in the front seat of a car could be crushed by an airbag if it deploys.
Read all installation instructions carefully as well as any information containted in the owner's manual of your car which pertains to child safety seats. You can also have a professional check out your seat to make sure it is properly installed.
Safety seats should always be installed in the back seat.
When a child is in a safety seat, the harness should be level with the shoulders and the straps should be secure and tight.
If you can always use a new car seat. A used car seat may not have all of its parts including instructions on how to install it properly. Don't use a car seat that is more than 6 years old.
"By taking simple but important measures, parents can protect their children from the number one killer in our nation," Judy stated. She added that "studies have shown that by taking these precautions the likelihood of your child being killed or disabled in a motor vehicle crash decreases significantly. It's an easy way to save kids' lives."
