Child Safety Seats

Presented by Scott Murray, Esq.

Hi, I'm Scott Murray with the personal injury law firm of Murray & Guari.                                 

For those of us with young children, keeping our kids safe is a top priority. Today I'd like to talk about child safety seats. Did you know that in 2007, more than 4500 children 5 and under were injured in vehicle crashes in Florida? Nearly 60 percent of them were either improperly restrained or had no restraints at all.

Another unsettling fact is that 7 out of 10 parents incorrectly install their child safety seats. Car seats work. We know that child safety seats and booster seats save lives. We can saves lives and avoid injuries if children are restrained properly in motor vehicles. I will provide you with some helpful safety tips and key websites that offer good information on child passenger safety.

First, when it comes to selecting a child seat, here are some guidelines to follow:

• Infants should always ride rear-facing until they are 1 year old and weigh at least 20 pounds. After that, they can ride forward-facing, but it’s best to seat them rear-facing as long as possible.
• Use booster seats for children who have outgrown their car seats. They should remain in a booster seat until adult seat belts fit correctly. Remember that booster seats must be used with both a lap and shoulder belt. Make sure that the lap belt lies low and snug across your child's upper thighs, and that the shoulder belt crosses the middle of their chest; not across their neck.
• After outgrowing their booster seat, they should ride in a lap and shoulder belt; but only in the back seat until they are 13.
• Next, it's a good idea to have your child safety seat inspected. Various organizations provide this free service. To find inspection sites in your area, please visit these websites www.NHTSA.gov and search by zip code.

In Palm Beach County, you can make an appointment to have your child seat checked by calling the Sheriff's office at 561-688-4194. Or call Palm Beach County Fire Rescue at 561-616-7033. You can also visit the website, www.usa.safekids.org to find evaluation sites.

When deciding what seat to buy, expectant parents have a choice between infant-only or convertible seats. Infant-only seat will be smaller so the newborn will be more snug in the seat while convertible seats can be used until a child reaches 40 lbs.

When a seat fails to work, it is almost always because of improper installation or use. This is why the inspection we mentioned earlier is so important.

There are some things to look for when selecting a child seat. You want:

• A seat that meets all federal motor vehicle standards
• A seat that is easy to use and has clear, understandable instructions
• A seat whose attachments are compatible with your car’s backseat

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has created an Ease of Use rating system for all types of child safety seats, and the ratings can be viewed at www.NHTSA.gov.

Our final tips come from the American Academy of Pediatrics, who advise:

• Never use a child safety seat that is several years old, or that has visible cracks.
• Never use a child safety seat that doesn’t come with the instructions, or that does not have the manufacturer and model number noted on it. You need this information in case of recall.

To find out if a child seat has been recalled, call the Auto Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236.

You can download a copy of our brochure on Child Safety Seats or submit a request using the contact form on our website. To learn about the firm's presentation on the Proper Use of Child Safety Seats available to schools and community organizations click here.

If you have any questions about this topic or any legal question please call (561) 366-9099 or email me at smurray@murrayguari.com.