Check These Tips From AAA To Make Sure Your Child Is Having A Safe Time Every Ride:

FLORIDA — New data from AAA and the National Safety Council shows that 52 percent of car seats inspected by Child Passenger Safety technicians are improperly installed.

Car crashes are the leading safety issue for children in the U.S., according to AAA. In 2018, 183,000 children were injured in car crashes, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported. That's an average of more than 500 injuries per day.

"Many of these injuries and deaths are preventable if the children are properly restrained in the vehicle," Mark Jenkins, AAA spokesperson, said. "Children are far more susceptible to injuries in crashes than adults, because their little bodies have not fully developed. The best way to provide optimal safety is to ensure your child is properly fastened in the right car seats, every ride."

New data from AAA and the National Safety Council reveals:

• Seventy-three percent of forward facing car seats are incorrectly installed.
• Ninety percent of children using adult lap-and-shoulder safety belts under the age of 10 should still be in a car or booster seat.

“Even parents with the best intentions may unknowingly be endangering their children by putting them in the wrong seat or not securing them properly,” Jenkins said. “Since car seat recommendations can vary, AAA urges parents to take a moment to ensure their child is setup for a safe ride.”

AAA’s Child Passenger Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

• Use the right car seat. Types of seats vary based on age, weight and height – and recommendations should be followed according to car seat manufacturer instructions.
• Install your car seat correctly. It should have minimal side-to-side movement.
• Place car seats in the middle of the vehicle if possible, away from impact zones and windows.
• Get your car seat inspected.
• Fasten the safety harness properly. The harness should be clipped over the breast bone, with the belt fitting snugly over the lap. Improper placement of the belt or clip could itself cause injury to your child in a crash.

Don’ts

• Don’t move the car before everyone is seated safe and secure, including adults.
• Don’t let children sit in the front seat until they are at least 13 years old.
• Don’t put rear-facing car seats in the front seat, near active airbags.
• Don’t move a child out of their height/weight appropriate seat before they’re ready - according to car seat manufacturer instructions.
• Don’t move your child into a standard adult seatbelt until they’re big enough. Seat belts simply aren’t designed to fit kids – and can cause injury or death in the event of a crash if they don’t fit properly. A seat belt will properly fit a child when they reach 4-feet-9, typically between the ages of eight and 12. Until then, they should remain in a booster seat.

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