New American Academy of Pediatrics Car Seat Safety Guidelines

 Posted on December 00,0000 in Car Accidents

As a parent, you want to do everything you can to keep your children safe, and this is especially true when you are in the car. Using a safe car seat can ensure that children are properly protected in any car accidents, but parents may not be aware of which types of car seats are appropriate for children at different ages.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently released new guidelines for car seat safety. This update came following a study published in the Journal of Pediatrics which found that only 62 percent of the parents participating in the study used a rear-facing car seat for children 17-19 months old. The study also found that parents who spoke with pediatricians about car seat safety and were aware of AAP guidelines were more likely to use rear-facing car seats.

What Are the Updated Car Seat Guidelines?

As a result of this study, the AAP determined that educating parents about car seat safety is more important than ever. The organization has released a list of approved car seats that includes height and weight limits for each manufacturer and model, and they have updated the guidelines for how parents should use car seats for different child age groups. Those guidelines are as follows:

• Infants and toddlers should use rear-facing or rear-facing convertible car seats until they are at least two years old, or until they reach the height and weight limits of the car seat.

• Toddlers and preschoolers should use a convertible or forward-facing seat once they outgrow the height and weight limits of rear-facing seats. Forward-facing seats should use a harness, and children should continue using these seats for as long as possible, until they reach the seat’s height and weight limits.

• School aged children who have outgrown the height and weight limits of forward-facing car seats should use a belt-positioning booster car seat.

• Older children should use a vehicle’s lap and shoulder seat belts once these seat belts fit them correctly. This is typically between eight and twelve years of age, and children should be at least four feet and nine inches in height.

• All children under the age of 13 should ride in a car’s back seat.

The AAP recommends that parents read car seat manufacturer instructions and understand how to properly install car seats. Parents are also encouraged to set a good example for children by always wearing their own seat belt in the car.

Legal Assistance for Car Safety Issues

Even though you do everything you can to ensure your children’s safety when you are on the road, accidents can still happen, and drivers and passengers can become injured. If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, you should contact a Lake County car accident attorney right away. We will work with you to protect your rights and the rights of any children involved in the accident and help you receive any compensation you deserve. Call the law offices of Salvi & Maher, LLP at 847-662-3303 to schedule a consultation.

Sources:

https://www.fatherly.com/health-science/american-academy-pediatrics-2017-car-seat-guidelines/

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002234761730803X