Disability Law Claims Blog

Clear the Confusion Surrounding the Installation of Car Seats

In the U.S., improperly installed car seats and boosters are not the exception, they are the rule.  7 out of 10 car seats are not installed properly.  Couple this with the fact that car accidents are the #1 killer of children ages 3-14, and you must ask yourself; how many lives could have been saved if every child's car-seat was properly installed?  How many disabilities could have been prevented?  How many injuries?

Installing car seats can be difficult.  On top of this is there is the matter of finding the right type of seat for your child.  The options are seemingly endless:

• Rear-facing only infant seats
• Convertible car seats
• Forward facing toddler seats
• Combination forward-facing/booster seats
• Belt positioning booster seats
• Backless booster seats

Aside from the type of seat, there is also the matter of following the weight and height requirements for your particular seat.  For example- while some seats allow a child to rear-face up to 33 pounds, some put the limit higher, some lower. 

The safest seat for your child is a rear-facing car seat.  Statistics show that keeping your child rear-facing until they reach the seats limits, generally around 30 pounds, is the best way to keep your child safe in an accident.

Then there is the task of knowing when your child will be safe in a booster seat, and which type is safest.  Follow this link for recommendations about when to use a booster seat.  In general, children should use a booster seat until their feet can touch the floor of the vehicle while they are seated with their back against the cars seat.

For new parents and seasoned veterans, ensuring that the correct car seat is purchased and installed can be a dizzying task.  Do not give up!  Your child's life may depend on making the right car seat decisions.

Only a licensed car seat installation technician can ensure that your child's seat is properly installed.  Please follow the links listed below to review the car seat laws in your state and find the inspection station or technician closest to you.  The short, free inspection may just save your child's life.

Car Seat Laws by State:

http://www.elitecarseats.com/custserv/custserv.jsp?pageName=car_seat_laws

Local Car Seat Inspection Locators:

http://www.seatcheck.org/index.html

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cps/cpsfitting/index.cfm

http://www.usa.safekids.org/tier2_rl.cfm?folder_id=1400