Nearly 60% of Child Car Seats are Misused and Dangerous

It’s back to school and back on the roads in Texas; ensure that your children are properly belted up or strapped in for car excursions.

Automobile accidents are the main cause of death in youngsters. While the majority of parents believe their children are properly secured, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 59% of all car seats are abused. The greatest approach to ensure the safety of small children in your vehicle is to ensure they are properly secured into a car seat. This includes choosing a car seat that is appropriate for a child’s age and size and properly installing it.

Related: What Does a No-Fault State Mean in the Case of Car Accidents?

“During Passenger Safety Week, we encourage parents to take advantage of free car seat safety exams” (September 19-25th). Children are significantly safer in a motor vehicle collision with the right car seat, car seat installation, and seat belt positioning,” Carabin Shaw Attorney Carla Dixon stated. “Knowing your child’s height and weight criteria is also critical to ensuring your youngster is in the right car seat or booster seat. Serious injuries can also be significantly decreased if we keep youngsters in rear-facing car seats until they reach the ages of 2-4.”

TxDOT provides free safety seat checks throughout the year. To arrange a virtual car seat check-up with a Texas Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Specialist, visit SaveMeWithaSeat.org and input your ZIP code to locate the nearest TxDOT district office. To learn more about kid safety, drivers can also determine if a youngster should ride in a rear-facing, forward-facing, or booster seat. All of this information is available on the website.

Texas law mandates that all children under the age of eight be fastened in a child safety seat whenever they ride in a vehicle, unless they are taller than 4 feet 9 inches. Children who have outgrown their booster seats must use a seat belt. A penalty of up to $250 may be issued for failing to properly restrain a youngster.

Top Car Seat Safety Tips

• Purchasing the proper car seat. Your kid should ride in a rear-facing car seat for as long as feasible, preferably until he or she is two or more years old. When your child outgrows that seat, a forward-facing car seat is the next step. Learn more about selecting the proper car seat for your child.
• Installing your automobile seat. You’ll need to select whether to fasten your car seat using the seat belt or lower anchors. Both are safe, but do not use them concurrently. Once your child is facing forward, it is critical that you utilize the tether in conjunction with the seat belt or lower anchors. Obtain additional information regarding the installation of your car seat.
• Obtaining the proper fit. A correctly adjusted harness provides your youngster with the best possible protection. Here are some additional details on finding the proper fit for your child.
• When should you replace your car seat. Check the car seat’s label to ensure your child remains within the seat’s weight, height, and age limits. Discover when to replace your car seat.