The leading cause of death for children in the U.S. are road injuries. Having a child in a proper car seat and buckled properly can reduce infant fatality in a crash by 71%. September 19th-25th is national child passenger safety week so there is no better time to make sure your children are riding safe every time they are in a car! Experts estimate that over half of car seats are installed incorrectly.
Checking your car seats:
Take advantage of car seat safety checks
If you are pregnant, have your seat installed by a certified tech and have them show you how to properly install the seat.
The life of most car seats are about 6 to 10 years. Always check for the expiration date on the seat. Get rid of any that are past that date.
Ensure your seat is not under recall. That can be done by visiting https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/childseat.cfm or by registering your seat, so all recalls come straight to you.
Always refer to care seat manufacturer instructions and your vehicles instructions on how to position seats and secure children properly.
The harness straps should be snug enough that excess cannot be pinched between your fingers
Always make sure the chest clip is at armpit level
NEVER use items in, on, or around a car seat that do not come from the car seat manufacturer. They may prevent the seat from working properly in a crash
Make sure your child is not wearing a coat or other bulky clothing when buckled into their seat. These items may prevent the harness from working properly in a crash
ALWAYS replace car seats after a crash of any kind
Ensure all passengers are safe:
All children, 12 and under, should ride in the back seat especially if they are in any kind of child restraint.
Don’t negotiate seat belts or car seat restraints with your child; don’t drive until they are buckled properly
Wear your own seat belt to model to children that buckling up is important
Air bags can be life saving to adults and older children but can be deadly to young children
Make sure young children don’t sit in the front seat
NEVER install a rear-facing car seat in a front seat near an airbag.
Follow Missouri laws:
Children less than 4 OR less than 40 pounds should be in an appropriate child safety seat
Children ages 4-7 who are at least 40 pounds must be in an appropriate child safety seat or booster seat UNLESS they are 80 pounds OR 4’9”
Children 8 and older OR weighing 80 pounds OR 4’9” should be secured with a lab and should seat belt or booster seat
ALWAYS check the height and weight of car seat and booster seats to ensure the seat is still appropriate for the child.
Protecting children in a car doesn’t have to be difficult! If you would like a certified tech to check your car seat or help you install a new car seat please call 636-797-3737. If you are struggling to afford a proper seat please visit https://www.jeffcohealth.org/community-health and fill out the form. A tech will reach out to you for more information and help find a seat that is right for you!
For more information on when to change seats, how to install a seat, or how to find the right fit please visit https://ucsg.safekids.org/
About the Author: Megan Winkelmann has been a Community Health Educator with the Jefferson County Health Department for just over two years. She attended Truman State University earning a bachelor’s degree in Health Science with a minor in Biology. While working for JCHD she attended A.T. Still University to earn her master’s degree in Public Health. Megan was born and raised in Jefferson County and enjoys creating programs that encourage healthy habits in the place she was raised. Megan likes to spend her free in time in the presence of family and friends.