Choose And Use Your Child’s Car Seat Safely

Read the manufacturer’s instructions and follow them completely, every time you put your child in a car. Before securing a child in a car seat, ensure to install it correctly.

Use rear-facing car seats for infants and children weighing 20 pounds or less. The chest straps should not have slack and the chest clip should be at the child’s chest, not their stomach. Remove blankets and jackets before clipping a child into a car seat to eliminate space between the straps and child.

Children over 20 pounds and a year or more in age should use a five point harness. Compared to forward-facing, keeping a child rear-facing is safer for their head, neck, and spine. However, once a child exceeds the maximum weight for a baby seat, the seat doesn’t protect the child against an impact to the same degree.

Children over four years old, and less than 57 inches (4’9″) tall, and under 65 pounds should be properly secured in a booster seat. Ensure the seatbelt crosses the child’s lap and rests along their shoulder, not their neck, chest, or stomach. A child may use a seat belt once over four years of age and exceeding the requirements of booster seats.

Passenger Requirements

Children between 8 and 16 years old, who exceed the height and weight requirements of booster seats, may use a seat belt if the driver determines it’s appropriate. If a seat belt is not adequate for the particular child, they must be properly secured in a child safety device approved for a child of their size by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

If a passenger unbuckles their seat belt or car seat, the best thing for the driver to do is pull over and stop the vehicle. It’s the responsibility of the driver to ensure all occupants of their vehicle are using safety restraints correctly.

Keep kids safe while driving Alaska roads by appropriately using a car seat, booster seat, or seat belt. Child safety is always a first priority, Alaska.

Johnson Law has been helping injured Alaskans for 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Sources: Alaska Statute 28.05.095 and Senate Bill 218

Image Source: Unsplash (Alexander Grey)

Child restraint systems are designed to safely secure children in vehicles. Used improperly they can cause unnecessary harm. In addition to proper installation, parents must consider the child’s clothing when restrained to improve car seat safety. With the onset of winter in Alaska and the sub-zero temperatures, children need to be properly outfitted for the temperatures. However, bulky winter gear could compromise the safety of the child restraint system.

Considerations Regarding Car Seat Safety:

• Pay close attention to height and weight limits;
• Refer to the manufacturer instructions for proper installation;
• Consult a certified car seat safety technician to check your car seats;
• Follow all instructions for cleaning and or washing car seat covers. Improper care may compromise the seat’s integrity in a collision;
• Ensure car seat covers (if used) do not hinder the function of the harness;
• Confirm the harness is close to the child’s body at all times (this is where bulky winter gear sometimes impedes car seat safety);
• Check NHTSA’s recalls site before purchasing new or used equipment.

Information Resources

For more tips on car seat safety, go to Safe Kids Alaska or Alaska Child Passenger Safety Coalition. Both sites list free inspection stations in your area. Alaskans can also schedule a car seat check through Safe Alaskans online or by calling: (907)929-3939. Car seats save lives. Your child deserves protection when traveling in a vehicle, and following car seat safety guidelines helps.

Please call Johnson Law to discuss your Alaska vehicle accident case: (907)277-3090 or use our online contact form. Johnson Law has been helping Alaskans for nearly 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

News Source: Anchorage Daily News

Image Source: Alaska Child Passenger Safety Coalition

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state using proper car seats for infants lowers risk of death in a crash by 71 to 82 percent. Toddlers ages 4 though 8 are also safer in a booster seat, reducing the risk of fatal injury by around 45 percent. Car seats save lives.

Using Child Seats

Car seats save lives. The CDC found car seat use reduces the risk for injury to a child in a crash by 71–82 percent compared with seat belt use alone. However, one study found that in one year more than 618,000 children ages 0-12 rode in vehicles without the use of a safety or booster seat, or a seat belt, at least some of the time. Additionally, some parents were using the wrong kinds of car seats for their children.

The type of car seat you need for your child depends on your child’s height, age and weight. The seat belt needs to fit properly across your child’s shoulders and waist. If a child is too big to use a safety seat, it may be time to move to a booster seat. Booster seats should be tall enough that the lap belt fits securely across your child’s lap. Any cross belt should fall along your child’s shoulder.

Get Help Installing Your Child’s Car Seat

A common problem with using car seats is that not all parents and caregivers know how to use them appropriately. The best car seat is the one that fits the child, fits the vehicle and that you can use correctly every time. Certified technicians at the Center for Safe Alaskans can help you install your car seat correctly and answer your car seat questions. They offer free virtual, or in-person help for families.

Car seats save lives. Your child deserves protection, and a good car seat helps. If you’re a victim of a crash and your child suffers injuries, you have a right to seek compensation.

Johnson Law has been helping Alaskans for nearly 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Please call Johnson Law to discuss your case: (907)277-3090 or use our online contact form.

Sources: Alaska Statutes; Center For Disease Control; Enrolled HB 308; Center for Safe Alaskans

Image Source: Center for Safe Alaskans