Did You Know?
- Children ages 2 to 5 who use safety belts prematurely are four times more likely to suffer a serious head injury in a crash than those in child safety seats or booster seats.
- Of those children ages 8 and under who died in vehicle crashes in 2011, 29 percent were unrestrained.
- Children should ride in the back seat until they are at least 13 years old.
- Each year, more than 9,000 children are treated in emergency rooms for injuries that occurred while they were unattended in or around motor vehicles.
Safe Kids works to address child safety in and around vehicles, from a baby’s first child restraint to the time he or she is behind the wheel. It is all part of the Safe Kids Buckle Up program.
Here are programs that focus on four important areas for protecting kids:
Child Passenger Safety
Making sure our children are transported safely in vehicles is very important. In 2011, 3,331 children dies in in motor vehicle crashes. Child Safety Seats play an important part in reducing injuries in vehicle crashes.
Here are some important safety tips
- Choose the right seat. Make sure your child fits in the seat and is the correct height, weight and age for the seat.
- For the best protection, keep your baby in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible – usually until about 2 years old. Kids who ride in rear-facing seats have the maximum protection for the head, neck and spine.
- Check the label. Child safety seats do have expiration dates. The label will also tell you the height and weight limits of the seat.
- Make sure the child safety seat is installed correctly. Seventy-three percent of car seats are not used or installed correctly, so before you hit the road, check your car seat.
There are certified technicians available to teach families how to use and install their child restraints.