Child
Passenger Safety
Each year, car crashes injure and kill more kids than any disease. If used properly, child safety seats and safety belts do protect children in a crash and help save lives.
Using
a child safety seat RIGHT makes a big difference. Be sure to read,
follow, and keep the directions. Use the safety seat until your child
outgrows it - up to about age 4 or 40 pounds.
When
your child weighs between 40 and 60 pounds, use a booster seat following
manufacturers' instructions.
When
your child is big enough to wear a lap-shoulder belt only, make sure the
shoulder strap fits snugly. Buckle lap belts low and snug across the
hips, not stomach.
So why isn't YOUR child buckled up?
EXCUSE: "My child is safest in my arms."
FACT: Your child will not be protected in your arms or lap. The force of a crash will pulla child from your arms. Your body can crush a child against the dashboard.
EXCUSE: "Safety belts will trap us if the car catches on fire or falls into water."
FACT: Only a very small number of crashes involve fire or falling in water. Even so, safetybelts keep passengers unhurt and alert enough to escape.
EXCUSE: "I can grab my child in a crash."
FACT: Probably not. Crashes happen suddenly, allowing less than one-half second toreact. Very few adults can react that fast.
EXCUSE: "We might be saved if we're thrown clear of the car in a crash."
FACT: Your chances of being killed are 25 times greater if you are thrown from the car. Think about it - there are only two ways out - through an open door or through the glass.