Proper Use of Car Seats Saves Lives

A post trending on social media showing two intact car seats in a heap of tangled metal underscores just how important using child car seats can be.

The mom of two unharmed boys involved in the accident says it is not the first time she’s seen a child properly buckled into a properly installed car seat come away from a crash with no injuries, which should encourage all parents to use them.

While many parents may understand the importance of securing kids in car seats, sometimes improper use can cause problems. To ensure a safer journey parents should take note to avoid common mistakes:

Do not transition from rear facing – to front facing – to booster – to seat belt, too soon. Do your homework by reading manufacturers’ recommendations based on a child’s weight and height before making changes to your child’s restraint mechanism. It has to be the right fit for maximum protection in an accident.

Do not neglect to anchor the tether strap to the vehicle. All cars manufactured since 2000 have places to secure the tether which is designed to reduce head injuries, a common injury in car accident.

Just like a loose bike helmet will do little to protect a child on a bicycle, a loose car seat restraint will not keep a child safe in a car accident. It is important to make sure the car seat is snug to the car and that a child is snug in the harness.
Make sure you buckle up too. All occupants of a car should buckle up not only to stay safe and set a good example, but to avoid striking other occupants in an accident.

Those who have survived a serious car accident can attest to the importance of wearing seat belts to save lives. For kids, having the right seat restraint can reduce their chance of being injured too. If you or a family member is injured in an Iowa car accident contact the Des Moines car accident Law Offices of John T. Hemminger for help today.

Source: ABCNews.com, “Car Accident Reminds Parents to Use Car Seats”, accessed July 20, 2018