Car Seats Help Keep Children Safe in Accidents

To drastically reduce the chance of a child getting hurt in an accident, properly securing them in a car seat is essential. However, according to the Phoenix Fire Department, up to one third of parents have their children riding in the wrong car seat for their size and age.

At Hastings and Hastings, we have gone straight to the expert source – the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – to bring you the tips you need to be sure your child is safely secured in the right car seat on the way to daycare, school, church, the grocery store, and wherever your day-to-day travels take you.

Tips for Choosing the Right Type of Car Seat for Your Child’s Age and Size

Birth to 12 Months: For children up to a year old, they must be in a rear-facing car seat.  You can buy one that eventually turns around, but for now, facing the rear is the safest way for your infant to travel.

1-3 Years Old:  The rule of thumb is to keep your child in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible.  Somewhere around two or three years old, they can sit in a front facing car seat.  To be sure the time is right to turn her around, check the height and weight requirements that came with the car seat. This will tell you when your child is big enough to face the other way.

4-7 Years Old:  Your child is growing so fast! And you find you are driving even more – back and forth to school, soccer practice, cheerleading practice and other activities. During these years, your child will transition from a car seat to a booster seat. To make sure you don’t transition too early , be sure to follow the advice on your car seat’s instructions.

8-12 Years Old: Your child is now ready for a booster seat to be used in conjunction with a seat belt.  Your child should always sit the back seat.  Once they reach their teenage years, they can sit up front. And before you know it, they’ll be driving you around.

How to Correctly Install a Car Seat

Besides having the appropriate car seat for your child’s age, weight and height, it needs to be installed correctly.  The best way to learn how to correctly install a car seat or have it checked out, make an appointment with a Phoenix fire station and the firemen will be happy to assist you.  Plan for about thirty minutes for the entire appointment.

Contact Us

Has your child been injured in a car accident?  At Hastings and Hastings we can help you.  Call us today at 800-975-0080 to schedule a free consultation.