Car accidents are the leading killer of children between the ages of 4 and 14. In 2011 alone, over 140,000 children were injured in car accidents. With increased parental awareness, tougher child restraint laws, and more stringent federal standards, the child fatality rate in motor vehicles has been reduced by about 50% over the past quarter-century. Parental education about how to keep children safe in cars has been one of the main ways that child safety has been improved over the last 25 years. Continued education and campaigns to inform parents about ways to mitigate the dangers of traveling in a motor vehicle help reduce the number of injured children each year. Along with making sure that parents and people, in general, are aware of constantly maintaining their car, by getting help and advice from companies like Czok to ensure that they are giving the car the proper care it needs.
While some car accidents are simply unpreventable, many accidents could have been avoided had drivers obeyed posted laws and stayed properly focused while behind the wheel.
So what can parents do to keep their children safe?
For one, finding the right car seat is essential. Car seats are not “one size fits all” and failure to find a safety seat that properly fits your child could nullify the benefits of the seat. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers some guidelines to help parents select a seat most appropriate for their child’s age.
For instance, babies under age one are safest in a rear-facing seat. Infants, toddlers, and young children are safest in a forward-facing seat. By age 7, most children are ready for a booster seat. If this is something that you do not have, it could be as simple as checking out a site like Mommyhood101, in the hopes of making a decision as to what car seat to get. The safety of the child is what’s important, as it is always best to be safe than sorry.
And, by age 12, most children are safe if restrained by a seat belt. Of course, there is a great deal of overlap when it comes to these recommendations, and your child’s individual needs will depend largely on his or her size. Parents should always consult the child safety seat manufacturer’s instructions for weight and size guidelines. Another factor that affects the safety of a child safety seat, is how the seat has been installed. An improperly installed child safety seat won’t be safe in the event of an accident.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, safety seat use can have a huge impact on child car safety. Car seats reduce infant deaths by 71%. Booster seat use can also help keep children safe. These seats can reduce the risk of serious injury by up to 45%.
Despite the clear benefits of seat belt use, child safety seat use, and booster seat use, the CDC found that more than 600,000 children in a given year were unrestrained while riding in motor vehicles.
There are many things parents can do to prevent accidents. However, sometimes accidents occur due to another person’s negligence. In the event of an accident, child safety seats have the potential to prevent needless personal injury in children in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Injuries can be devastating for families and loved ones. Rehabilitation costs alone can often be prohibitive for most middle class Americans. The Law Office of Martin T. Montilino offers personal injury law counsel for the people of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Contact the firm today if you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident. You may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries.