So you’ve just had your first baby! Or maybe you have several small children. You should know that car accidents are a leading cause of injury to small children. Many serious injuries occur because parents do not understand or are lax about car seat use.
Here are some guidelines to consider:
Infant-only seats:
Infant-only seats are designed to protect babies from birth until they reach approximately 35 pounds.
Always install infant car seats to face the rear of the car because the back of the safety seat protects the baby’s head, neck, and torso in the event of a car crash.
Some parents prematurely turn the infant seat to face forward when the child reaches 20 pounds. Because a child’s neck at 2 years or younger is not strong enough to support the head in the event of an accident, reliable studies have shown that a child under age 2 is 75% less likely to die or incur a serious injury when in a rear-facing seat.
Convertible Seats:
These seats tend to be heavier and less portable than infant seats. Convertible seats are made for children from birth up to at least 40 pounds facing backward, and up to 65 pounds or even 80 pounds facing forward, depending on the model.
They are called convertible seats because they can be used to face forward or backward.
Weight ranges vary on convertible car seats, so it is important to consider a child’s height and weight before buying one. If you choose a convertible seat, make sure it fits your child well — a small child in a large seat may not be the best option.
Booster Seats
Booster seats are for children who have outgrown forward-facing or convertible car seats but are still too small for a vehicle’s seatbelts to properly protect them.
Most states require a booster seat until the car’s lap-and-shoulder belt fits properly, which is typically when a child reaches 4 feet 9 inches in height and are between 8 and 12 years old.
When installing a car seat – always read the instruction manual carefully and be absolutely certain installation has been done correctly – providing for a safe and secure platform for your child. Always choose a seat with a label that states that it meets or exceeds Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
If you or your child are ever the victim of a car accident in Connecticut, it is important to gather all the information you can and then call a qualified Connecticut car accident lawyer. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer can help to ensure that your rights are protected.
RisCassi & Davis has handled thousands of car accident cases over our more than 55 years serving the people of Connecticut. Our car accident lawyers have received local and national recognition for our handling of car accident cases including:
- Top listing in “The Best Lawyers in America” and “Best Law Firms”….. for more on our honors and awards, click here.
If you would like a free consultation with one of our accident lawyers, contact us today.
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