Choosing the Right Car Seat is a Matter of Life & Death

Vermont data show that nearly half (47%) of child car and booster seats are not installed correctly. This creates a risk of serious or fatal injury to a child. 

Second only to firearm-related injuries, traffic accidents are the second leading causes of death for American children between the ages five to 14, and over 90,000 children are injured annually due to traffic accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, of the children who were killed in accidents in 2020, 38% were not properly restrained in a car seat.  

Without question, car seats help keep children safe. That’s why it’s important to know what type of seat is best for your child and to be aware of when they outgrow a given seat. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) developed the chart below to help caregivers choose the most appropriate car safety seat for their child.  Factors to consider when choosing a seat include a child's age, size, and developmental needs.

If after reviewing your options you’re still unsure which seat is right, or if you’re an expectant parent looking for help choosing or installing your first-ever car seat, you can work with a certified child passenger safety technician. In fact, anyone looking for help installing a car or booster seat properly—this includes grandparents, aunts, uncles, babysitters, childcare workers, etc.—can and should work with a certified child passenger safety technician. Click here to find one near you. 

On that note, there will be a FREE car seat fitting station held on September 23, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center campus during child passenger safety week.

For a comprehensive list of available car seats, including details about weight and height limits and estimated prices click here.  

SOURCE: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx

Deborah Yanke, LNA, is a member of the Women's and Children's Services team at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center as well as a certified car seat technician.