Child Safety in the Car

Your child is your most important investment, so be sure to inform yourself on safety measures and precautions that will keep your child out of harm's way.

Statistics on Child Safety Seats

Statistics point to the need of proper child car seat safety.

Child safety seats are incredibly effective at reducing the risk of death. The likelihood of death for infants who are properly harnessed during an accident is reduced by 71%. The probability for children ages one through four drops by 54%. Kids who are not correctly restrained are three and a half times more likely to sustain serious injuries.

And the risk of death or serious injury in motor vehicle crashes is serious -crashes are the leading cause of unintentional death among kids 14 and under.

It's surprising then that up to 14% of kids ride unrestrained; and maybe even more surprising that many parents who do put their children in car safety seats are installing the safety seats improperly. Experts estimate that between 80-90% of car seats are installed incorrectly.

Children may even suffer psychological effects due to a car crash: it has been found that up to 25% of children experience post-traumatic stress disorder after a vehicle crash.

What measures can you take to guarantee the safety of your child?

Child Safety Seats

There are many child safety products available to you. There are several important things to keep in mind when shopping around for child car safety products. Research safety seat ratings to be certain that the brand you're buying will do its job. Also, make sure that your child car safety seat is compatible with your vehicle. Read your motor vehicle owner's manual as well as the car safety seat instructions to make sure you have a perfect fit.

Depending on the age and weight of your child, if your child drives with you, you are in the market for a child safety seat. Child car safety is of paramount importance, as accidents pose a serious risk for kids. The risk decreases as precautionary methods are taken.

Infant Car Seats

There is a market for infant-only car safety seats out there. These seats are rear facing and come with many special features, such as a detachable base and handles that make it easy to carry your baby out of the car. With rear facing infant-only car safety seats, never install the seat in the front seat. Serious injuries to your infant can occur in the event of a car crash owing to air bag inflation. Once they have reached one year of age or 20 lbs, you'll want to get a seat for toddlers.

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