Car Accidents are the number one killer of children under age 12. Statistics show that about 80% of car seats are installed incorrectly. To reduce the number of children injured in automobile wrecks there are four simple steps that should be followed:
1. Restrain your child on every trip, every time.
2. Keep your child in the back seat.
3. Use the best safety restraint for your child's size.
4. Use the child safety seats and belts correctly.
Children should be placed in a rear-facing car seat until the child is at least one year old and weighs 20 lbs. Cars manufactured after September 2002 have the LATCH system for car seat installation. This newer system is designed to make the installation process easier. Parents should always consult the installation manual for their vehicle and the car seat when installing the seat for the first time.
As evidence by prior a blog post on our Alabama Injury Attorney Blog (Alabama Car Wreck Claims Unrestrained Child's Life) too many children in Alabama are injured each year because of improper car seat installation. In 2008, according to the Alabama Department of Public Safety, 138 children were injured in Alabama car accidents where the child was not using a child restraint system. Many hospitals, fire department and police departments offer free installation by a certified installer. For example, Huntsville Hospital offers such installation.
For more information on car seat installation please visit, Keeping Kids Safe During Crashes, which has numerous helpful videos on car seat safety and installation.
