An Urgent Message for Parents About Car Seat Safety from the NHTSA

Safety is an issue that I stand passionate about addressing and disseminating information, first as an educator, most importantly as a parent. Having the opportunity to work in partnership with the Ad Council and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is part of an initiative to inform parents and caregivers about the importance of properly selecting the correct car seat for their children, while helping to save lives. Let's share this urgent message about car seat safety with our friends and family today!

An Urgent Message for Parents 

About Car Seat Safety from the NHTSA

For most of us, collecting our personal belongings and heading out to the car to take care of family appointments, play dates, work and childcare obligations are all part of our regular every day routines. When we are traveling with our little ones, we put them into their car seats and buckle them up without a second thought as to whether or not they are in the right seat to offer the best protection. We trust that they are safe and secured– and we drive off on our way. Unfortunately, that may not be the case for road safety. 

With an increased call to action during Child Passenger Safety Week, we are sharing the message urging parents and caregivers to visit SaferCar.gov/TheRightSeat (SaferCar.gov/Protegidos for Spanish) to determine if their child is in the right car seat for his or her age and size and to locate a car seat check station in their area. Also – Don’t forget to register each child’s car seat with the manufacturer so as to be informed in the event of a recall. 

Every 33 seconds a child under the age of 13 is involved in a car crash in the United States. A car seat is no doubt one of the most important purchases will ever make for your child. Car seats, when installed and used properly, can dramatically reduce the risk of fatality or injury in motor vehicle accidents. More than half of children's car seats are inadvertently misused in a manner that may reduce their effectiveness. Sadly, approximately 1 in 3 children killed in car crashes are traveling completely unrestrained at the time of the accident. Can you believe those devastating statistics? Believing that your child is in the appropriate car seat, only to discover otherwise is a frightening reality to face. 

How do you decide which type of car seat is the right car seat for your child? Should your child be secured in a rear-facing infant car seat, a convertible car seat, or a booster seat? Finding the right car seat and installing it correctly is an overwhelming task for parents. There's also the vehicle safety question of when to transition your child to another type of car seat to be considered. 

Step 1 - Find the right car seat-

* Based on Car Seat Types - Learn the facts about the four types of car seats. 

* Age & Size Recommendations (from birth to age 13) - Follow these recommendations for selecting a car seat based on your child's age and size.

* Find a Car Seat - Compare car seat makes and models using our Car Seat Finder tool.

* Car Seat Ease-of-Use Ratings - Evaluate car seat features using our car seat ease-of-use ratings. 

Step 2 - Install your car seat correctly-

* Follow these car seat installation tips to keep your child safe.

Step 3 - Register your car seat-

* Don't delay—register your car seat today to receive car seat and booster seat recall notices.

Step 4 - Get recall notifications on your car seat-

* Sign up to receive e-mail alerts about car seat and booster seat recalls from NHTSA.

 

Car accidents are a leading cause of death for children from 1 to 13 years old. Many times these tragic deaths and injuries can be prevented by the proper use of car seats, booster seats, and seat belts. By working together with the Ad Council and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), we hope to share this message that will educate parents and caregivers about the importance of selecting the right seat for their child’s age and size, and to remind them that car seats, booster seats and seat belts offer the best protection for our children in accidents, helping to save lives. Let's do our parts to share this urgent message with our friends and family right now! 

Click HERE to share #TheRightSeat message!

Many parents do not realize their child is in the wrong car seat. Visit Safercar.gov/TheRightSeat and make sure your child is riding safely in #TheRightSeat - #STORKS