A study has been released recently concerning the correct use of booster seats and its safety. The study’s findings are unfortunately not good news. According to the group behind this study, Safe Kids Worldwide, not enough parents know safety rules when it comes to using their child’s booster seat. The study specifically found that most parents don’t know the correct height that a child should be before he or she can ride without a booster seat. Although safety experts recommend that children should be at least 4-foot-9 and weigh between 80 and 100 pounds before moving out of their booster seat, many parents admitted that they don’t use booster seats on short rides or car pools because it is inconvenient.
The group’s research found that for kids 4 to 8 years old, booster seats can reduce the risk of serious injury by 45 percent compared to just seat belts. If the child is not tall enough, the lap belt will be on their stomach and the shoulder belt may hit their neck or face. This means that in the event of a collision, the child may suffer serious neck, abdominal or facial injuries.
Child Passenger Statistics
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), car accidents are the leading cause of death among children in the United States. In 2012, more than 1,100 children ages 14 and younger died in car accidents and more than 176,000 children were injured. The CDC reports that in 2012, restraint use saved the lives of 284 children ages 4 and younger. Car seats reduce the risk of death in car crashes by 71 percent for infants and by 54 percent for toddlers ages 1 to 4. Booster seats reduce the risk of injury by 45 percent for children ages 4 to 8.
Booster Seat Safety Tips
Here are a few useful booster seat safety tips for parents:
• When your child is seated in the booster seat, make sure that the lap and shoulder belts fit. The lap belt should fit low across the hips and the shoulder belt must fit across the shoulder.
• Check your child’s growth a few times a year so you can accurately gauge if he or she still needs a booster seat.
• Talk to everyone who drives your kids so they understand that booster seat use is a must when your child is in their vehicles.
• Children are usually between 8 and 12 years old when the seat belt fits them correctly. Make sure the child’s knees bend at the edge of the seat and that the lap belt fits across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should fit across the shoulder and chest.
Compensation for Injured Accident Victims
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Our law firm recovered $5,600,000 and $2,550,000 for two victims of motor vehicle accidents.
Please call our offices TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: Safekids.org
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