Car crashes are the leading cause of death for children under the age of 13, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which makes choosing the right car seat and making sure it is correctly installed and buckled one of the most important things parents can do to keep their children safe.
“More than 80 percent of children ages 4 and under sustain no injury from a crash when they are in the proper car seat for their age and weight,” said James E. Devlin, MD, a board-certified family medicine physician. “
The best way to keep your child safe is to make sure you have the right car seat and know how to use it.”
Choosing a car seat
There are three types of car seats that your child will progress through as they get older and grow bigger: a rear-facing seat, a forward-facing seat and a booster seat.
“The American Association of Pediatrics recommends that infants ride in a rear-facing seat as long as possible until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat manufacturer,” said Dr. Devlin.
“Once they outgrow a rear-facing car seat, children should use a forward-facing seat with a harness, again up to the highest weight or height recommended by the manufacturer.
“Finally, they should use a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle lap and shoulder seat belt fit properly, typically when they have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height and are between 8 and 12 years of age.”
You should note that there are several types of each car seat, so consult with your pediatrician about the best choice for you and your child.
Installing a car seat
Once you select the right car seat, installing it correctly is just as important. Car seats can be installed either with the car’s seat belt, or its lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) mechanism.
Both options are equally safe. Your choice will likely depend on the seat’s specifications and your pediatrician’s recommendation. Make sure to look at both the vehicle owner’s manual and the car seat manual upon installation to ensure that everything is secured properly.
Keeping your child safe while driving
Before you hit the road, there are a few more steps you should take to keep your child safe. First, register your car seat with its manufacturer to receive information about safety notices and recalls.
Additionally, there are other resources from groups such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that provide further insights through e-mail alerts and newsletters. Finally, buckling your own seat belt sets a good example for your child to see you do the same.
What are the laws and regulations in Pennsylvania?
While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the American Association of Pediatrics provide general recommendations, you should also be familiar with the specific laws and regulations in Pennsylvania:
- From birth to the age of 2, children must be in a rear-facing car seat until they outgrow it.
- From birth to the age of 4, children must be secured in an approved forward-facing car seat.
- From 4 to 8 years old, children must be fastened into an appropriate booster seat.
- From 8 years and older, children and all passengers must wear a seat belt.
Penn Highlands Healthcare provides family medicine and pediatric care for children and adolescents.
From medical care for a sick child to annual physicals, Penn Highlands Healthcare provides comprehensive pediatric care throughout Pennsylvania.
To learn more, visit www.phhealthcare.org/findadoc.