Did you know that car accidents are the number one cause of death in children 1 to 12 years old? Here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance, we want to help you be safe on the road. It is extremely important to do everything you can to keep your child safe in the car as well, and one of the best ways to do this is with the proper car seat.
There are many different types of car seats for children. The one you need depends on the age, weight, and height of your children. Here is an approximate guide of the type of car seat your child needs, based on their age, according to safecar.gov:
- Under 1 year: Rear facing car seat
- 1 – 3 years: Forward facing car seat with harness
- 4-7 years: Booster Seat
- 8-12 years: Shoulder belt
More exact laws are based on the state in which you drive (Massachusetts laws can be found here). You should also note that it is recommended to keep your child in each of the above stages as long as possible. Wait until they have met the weight and height restrictions of your seat before you move on to the next stage. Also, the backseat is the safest place for a child, so make sure that they ride there until at least age 12.
In addition to ensuring that your child is riding in the correct safety equipment, follow these safety tips for paramount protection:
- Pad the sides of your rear facing seat to make sure that your infant does not slouch. You can use towels or blankets, even diapers will work in a pinch!
- Rear facing seats should be reclined at a 45° angle. Follow manufacturer’s directions to ensure the correct angle is achieved.
- Install your car seat’s top tether strap according to instructions. If your car seat did not come with a tether strap, see if the car seat manufacturer provides one.
- Do not use a car seat that has been involved in an accident. Even if you can’t see any damage, the structure of the seat may have been weakened. Don’t risk it – invest in a new seat for your little one.
- You can’t be sure that you’ve installed a car seat correctly if you don’t follow the installation instructions. Also double check to make sure that all the required parts are included in the packaging.
For more information about child safety seats and restraints, check out the website for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. They have an abundance of car safety resources for parents, or anyone that transports children.
There is one more thing that you can do for your children when they are in the car: have a top of the line auto insurance policy. This will ensure that your little ones, as well as all the rest of your loved ones, are taken care of in the event of an accident.
Make sure that you have enough coverage – it only takes a few minutes of your time, and it could make all the difference if you are ever involved in a crash. All you have to do is call! Call our great staff at Vargas & Vargas Insurance at 877-550-0025.
