Car Seat Safety You ‘Auto’ Know as a Parent

Road injuries are one of the leading causes of preventable deaths and injuries for children in the United States, according to Safe Kids Worldwide. However, correct use of rear-facing and forward-facing child safety seats, boosters and seat belts (when appropriate for age and size) can help keep your child safe, reducing their risk of death by as much as 71 percent.

As children grow, how they sit in your car, truck or SUV will change. Make sure you follow these guidelines to keep your child safe as you travel from point A to B.

All children under 2 years of age must be secured in a rear-facing car seat until they outgrow the maximum height and weight limits allowed by the car seat manufacturer. To properly secure your baby in a rear-facing car seat:

1. Harness straps should come out of the slots on the back of car seat at or below your baby’s shoulders.
2. Place harness straps over your baby’s shoulders and hips, and they should lie flat with no twists.
3. Close the chest clip and crotch buckle.
4. Adjust harness until snug – which is when you cannot pinch any extra harness at chest or hips.
5. Chest clip must be at armpit level after adjusting.

When it comes to rear-facing car seats, it’s important that you:

• Never place a rear-facing car seat in the front seat with an active passenger-side front airbag.
• Avoid bulky clothing or blankets under snug harnesses as bulky clothes or blankets will prevent a snug harness fit. If necessary, place coats or blankets on top of the snug harness.
• Always follow car seat and vehicle instructions for correct use. For more help, go to the car seat manufacturer’s web page and watch their video on using and installing the car seat. Scan the QR code to watch the LVHN car seat video for more basic use information.

When children outgrow a rear-facing car seat, secure them in a forward-facing car seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer.

Once children outgrow a forward-facing car seat, secure them in a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle lap and shoulder belt fits properly, typically when a child is approximately 4 feet 9 inches in height and between 8 and 12 years of age.

When children outgrow their belt-positioning booster seat, secure them in a properly fitted lap and shoulder belt. A lap and shoulder belt fits properly when the lap belt lies low and snug across the hips/upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the center of the chest. Also, all children under 13 should ride in the back seat, where it's safest.

For peace of mind and safety assurance, have a certified technician inspect your child’s car seat. Families in the Lehigh Valley may conveniently schedule a free car seat safety check by visiting LVHN.org/raisingafamily. In other areas, visit NHTSA.gov/carseat and enter your location to find a car seat inspection station near you. Most car seat checks are free of charge.

Although airbags can save adult lives, they can be dangerous for children. It is recommended that all children ages 13 and under ride in the rear seat. The best place for small children riding in vehicles is the rear seat, away from the impact of head-on crashes and deployed airbags.

“If your older forward-facing child must ride in the front seat, move the seat as far back as possible, away from the airbag,” says Bill McQuilken, Trauma Prevention Coordinator with Lehigh Valley Health Network

Whenever you drive or ride as a passenger in a vehicle, show your children (or grandchildren) that you also buckle up on every ride. “Wearing your seat belt will help protect you and will be a lasting reminder for your family that you take vehicle safety seriously,” McQuilken says.

Never leave children alone in or around cars and get into the habit of checking the back seat before you lock your vehicle.