November 10, 2016
If you have a child that you want to take with you, whether to a specified destination or for a recreational drive, it is important for you to keep safety in mind. Thousands of children die from various vehicle injuries in the United States every year. Studies show that many of these are avoidable, as there are numerous child safety products and practices that can help any parent ensure the safety of their child. In order to keep your child safe during the child, consider some of the following things to check in your car.
For children who are two and under, it is important for them to ride in a rear-facing car seat until they are two years old. Some seats have weight and height limits for children, but ultimately planning ahead is the best way to ensure your child's safety during that age. Make sure that the seat is safe and secure before driving.
For children between the ages of two and five, you can have them seated in a forward-facing car seat as is comfortable. This is recommended until they are five years of age or until they hit the height and weight limits of that car seat. Because your children have a larger range of mobility, make sure that the seat is snug and secure in order to prevent injury.
Children over the age of five are too large for the forward-facing seat, so parents should instead invest in a booster seat that they can set in the car. This seat can act as a great gauge to determine when your child can be safe with the standard seat belt. Keep them in the booster seat until the seat belt fits them right. You can tell that the seat belt is working as desired when it can stretch across the chest without digging uncomfortably into the neck or stomach.
Make sure that you check up on your state's laws and regulations as well. Though there are some common sense laws that all states have in place, some states may have specific laws that pertain to certain products and configurations when you drive with your child. After your child is over the age of 13, they can ride safely in the backseat without worry. The age at which your child may ride in the front seat usually varies according to the state's laws.