Motor vehicle safety is something every person should be aware of, especially when it comes to children. If a child is not properly restrained, they are more likely to be injured in a motor vehicle accident; therefore, extra precautions must be taken.
Most unintentional injuries and deaths can be prevented when the correct child safety seats are used. Children can get seriously hurt when parents or caregivers do not properly keep them secure while riding in a vehicle. High-risk situations can include: placing children in front of passenger seat air bags, allowing children to ride in the cargo area of pickup trucks, and leaving children unattended in cars.
Children are obviously smaller than the average adult, which means that the standard safety belts in motor vehicles do not properly fit to protect children’s bodies.
Children from ages 4 to 8 years old are even more at risk for improperly using safety belts in motor vehicles. They are required to sit in a booster seat because the actual seat belt will not fit them. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, kids need to use a booster until they are about 4 feet 9 inches tall and weigh between 80 and 100 pounds.
It is also extremely important to make sure you are installing your child’s safety seat correctly. Here are some tips to increase the safety of children riding in a motor vehicle: make sure you double check the brand you are purchasing so you can verify any recall information, double check all of the buckles and straps to confirm that they are secure and in the proper position, and never place a rear facing infant in front of an active air bag. Following these rules will increase the safety level of children in your vehicle.
Lastly, be well aware of the threat airbags pose to young children. The only way to prevent air bag related injuries, is to never place a young child in front of the air bag; the safest place for a child, is always the rear seat, away from a head on collision.
The Massachusetts Personal Injury Lawyers with Jason Stone Injury Lawyers encourage everyone to be aware of the rules and regulations regarding child safety within a motor vehicle.
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