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Preventing car injuries
is never 100 percent, the same as with adults. However, there are some steps you can do to help protect your child. You and your child should wear a seatbelt at all times when riding in a motor vehicle. Always use a child safety seat or booster seat for your child’s age, weight and height. Make sure the seat properly fits your car. A seat that fits poorly, or that is not installed properly, can be very dangerous. There are places to have your child safety seat checked, such as your local police station, and most doctors will help you with this also. Children usually move from cat safety seats to booster seats when they reach 40 pounds, although there are car seats made for children who weigh more than 40 pounds. The laws vary state by state, so be sure to know your state’s specifics regarding child safety seats. Child safety seats reduce the risk of death by 71 percent for infants, and 54 percent for toddlers ages 1 to 4 years of age. The National Highway Traffic Administration recommends booster seats for children until they’re at least 8 years of age or 4’9” tall. Booster seats have been shown to reduce injury risk by 59 percent, compared to seat belts alone. All children ages 12 years or younger should ride in the back seat to prevent injury from air bags. The backseat is the safest part of the vehicle in case of an accident.
Other ways to prevent car injuries:
Never drink and drive with a child in the car - never drink and drive period. Never allow your child to ride in a car with anyone who has had alcohol to drink. Never talk on your cell phone or text while driving with children in your car. The best way to prevent car accidents is to stay alert and use caution.
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