Car seat safety tips to protect your children in case of an auto accident
Here’s a terrible thought: Car accidents are the leading cause of death for children in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The good news is that parents can prevent many of these tragedies just by putting their children in the right car seat at the right age.
For National Youth Traffic Safety Month in May, our accident attorneys want to share some new safety tips and resources to help keep your child safe in the car.
Child car seat safety tips
Birth – 12 months: Children under age 1 should ride in a rear-facing car seat.
1 – 3 years: Children should be secured in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the top height or weight limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer.
4 – 7 years: Children should be secured in a forward-facing car seat with a harness until they reach the top height or weight limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer.
8 – 12 years: Children should be secured in a booster seat in the back seat until they are big enough to fit in a seat belt properly.
Follow your car seat manufacturer’s instructions: And your vehicle owner’s manual on how to install our child’s car seat or booster seat. Pay attention to the weight limit.
Get your car seat inspected: Make sure your car seat is approved and properly installed by visiting a car seat inspection station.
(Source, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Car Seat Recommendations for Children)
Michigan’s child passenger safety law
Here’s where I have to sound like a lawyer. Michigan law requires children younger than age 4 to ride in a car seat in the rear seat, if the vehicle has a rear seat. Older children are required to be properly buckled in a car seat or booster seat until they are 8 years old, or 4 feet 9 inches tall.
Our accident attorneys wish you and your family safe travels.
– Steven Gursten is a Michigan accident attorney and head of Michigan Auto Law. He president of the Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association. Steve frequently writes and speaks on child safety and teen driving, and is available for comment.
Related Information:
Top cause of accidental death for children: car accidents
Michigan Auto Law exclusively handles car accident, truck accident and motorcycle accident cases throughout the entire state of Michigan. We have offices in Farmington Hills, Sterling Heights, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Detroit. Call (800) 968-1001 to speak with one of our Michigan accident attorneys today.
