Safe Kids: The proper child restraint may save your child’s life.

Car crashes are the leading cause of death of children under 14. In 2007 (the last year for which data is available), 6,532 children age 14 and younger were involved in fatal car crashes. The best way to keep your child safe, is to make sure that they are properly buckled up while riding in the car. In Kansas and Missouri, all children under eight year of age must be in an appropriate child safety seat unless they weigh over 80 pounds and are at least 4’9” tall.

Not sure which child safety seat to use? The Kansas City car wreck lawyers at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys have put together this guide to keep your child safe,

Infants – birth until one year and at least 20 pounds

Infants who are less than one year old and infants who are over one year, but weigh less than 20 pounds must ride in a rear-facing car seat. Parents often hurry to change their child to a forward-facing position, but the rear facing position is safest. It is recommended that you keep your child rear-facing until he reaches the height or weight limit of the seat.

Toddlers – over 20 pounds and up to at least 4 years old and to the weight limit of the car seat

Once your child has outgrown his rear-facing seat, they should ride in a forward-facing car seat. Or, you can turn a convertible seat to the forward-facing position. The child should ride in this seat until she reaches the upper height or weight limit of the seat (this usually ranges from 40-65 pounds).

Children – over four years old and over 40 pounds

Children who have outgrown their forward-facing car seats may ride in a booster seat. Children should use a booster seat until they are 4’9” tall and at least 80 pounds. Booster seats enable children to safely use car seatbelts. When the car seat belt fits across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest, the child can safely ride using the car’s seatbelt without a booster.

Always read the manual that came with your seat to make sure it is installed properly. A properly installed car seat offers the best protection in an accident. While all car seats must meet the same minimum standards, some are easier to install than others. Click here for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s ease of use ratings for child safety seats.

If you aren’t sure if you’ve installed the seat correctly, a child safety seat technician as a child seat inspection station can help. This service is free. Click for a list of child seat inspection stations in Kansas and Missouri.

The safest place for children under 14 is the back seat. In Kansas, children under 14 may not ride in any part of the vehicle not intended for passenger use, including the bed of a pick-up truck. In Missouri, children under 18 may not ride in an unenclosed truck bed. Children in both states must use a seatbelt until they are 18.

Keep your children safe; keep them buckled up!

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Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys
1102 Grand Blvd., Ste 1901
Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone: 816-471-5111
Toll Free: 888-348-2616
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Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys*
11900 College Boulevard, Suite 300
Overland Park, KS 66210
*By Appointment Only: Heather A. Lottmann & Victor B. Finkelstein

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Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys
1102 Grand Blvd., Ste 1901
Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone: 816-471-5111
Toll Free: 888-348-2616
Get Directions

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