Know How to Keep Your Child Safe in the Car

In 2022, 660 children under the age of 13 died in car accidents while riding in a car. In 2021, An estimated 156,502 children under the age of 13 were hurt while riding in a car that was involved in an accident. You can take steps to keep your children safe as passengers in your car. You can also speak with our Allentown car accident attorney if your child has been injured in an accident.

Seat Belt Use

For older children and adults, the use of a seat belt drastically lowers the risk of getting injured or dying in a car accident. Set a good example and buckle up each time you drive. Assist kids with buckling, too. Check to make sure that everyone is buckled before putting the car into drive or reverse. If you have teen drivers, require them to use seat belts when they drive. A seat belt fits properly when the lap portion stays across the child’s upper thighs and the upper portion lays across the chest and one shoulder. Kids ages 12 and younger should always ride in the back seat of a car.

Child Safety Restraints

Child safety restraints or safety seats keep infants and toddlers safer in cars. Many parents and caregivers are surprised to learn that their child safety seat is improperly installed. It’s a good idea to have the seat inspected by a child safety seat technician who’s trained and certified in their installation. Some local police departments, fire departments, and children’s hospitals offer this service at no cost if you make an appointment or attend a special event that’s intended for this purpose.

Choosing the Right Type and Configuration of Child Safety Seat

There are different guidelines for the direction, type, and style of seat based on a child’s weight and height. It’s important to read the manufacturer’s information about weight and height limits for the safety seat and for its installation. Common types of safety seats include:

• Rear-facing seat – Babies should be in a rear-facing seat between birth and the age of 2 or until they reach the seat’s height or weight limit. A rear-facing seat should never be put in front of an airbag that could activate.
• Forward-facing seat – Kids ages 2 to 5 should be in a forward-facing car seat with a five-point restraint system. If the child reaches the upper weight or height limit before the age of 5, then a bigger seat or a booster seat should be used.
• Booster seat – Children over the age of 5 should use a booster seat until a standard seat belt fits them properly. Most seat belts are sized to fit a person who is at least 57 inches tall.

Booster Seats

Booster seats are the next step up from a child restraint system. A booster seat should be placed in the back seat of the vehicle. They work on all styles of seats, including bucket and bench seats. Booster seats accommodate kids until they’re about 57 inches tall, which is when a seat belt should properly fit them.

Reducing the Risk of an Accident

You can be proactive in reducing the risk of a car accident while driving with your kids. Some steps you can take today include:

• Putting your phone away while driving.
• Avoiding distractions such as eating while driving.
• Not driving when you’re tired.
• Not driving after taking medicine that could affect your ability to drive.
• Avoiding drinking and driving. One in five child passenger deaths is caused by drinking and driving, and in 65 percent of those cases, the affected driver was the one operating the vehicle the child was in.
• Keeping your car in good condition, including brakes, headlights and tail lights.

Our Allentown car accident attorney offers consultations if your child has been injured or killed in a car accident. Contact Metzger & Kleiner today by phone at (610) 435-7400 or stop by our office in Allentown to make an appointment.