Child Car Seat Safety
Booster seat use reduces the risk for serious injury in a car crash by 45% for children ages 4 to 8 when compared with seat belt use alone, according to the CDC.
“The best way that we can keep our children safe in the cars to use the right car seat every time in the right way,” says Sarah Webb-May, trauma outreach coordinator at Washington Regional.
Car’s seat belts are designed for adults. A child’s physical structure isn't fully developed until after puberty, so their pelvic bones and their legs don't have enough mass to keep the lap belt in the right place. “They often start to submarine down in the car seat, and the lap belt migrates up into their abdominal area. In a serious car crash, this can cause very serious abdominal injuries,” Webb-May says.
Without a booster seat, a typical seat belt also hits a child in the neck. This more than often causes the child to place the seat belt behind their body or underneath their arm, which is even a bigger problem in a serious crash. “The child can fold over, causing serious spinal injuries, and they can strike their head, causing serious head injuries and neck injuries,” Webb-May says.
Using a properly positioned booster seat is important. The booster will ensure the lap belt comes across the strong parts of the child’s hips. It also makes the shoulder belt run along the strong parts of the chest and to the shoulder, staying away from the neck.
“We always recommend following manufacturers guidelines for height and weight for each specific car seat,” Webb-May says. Often, car seats will have stickers on the side, letting you know what height and weight is recommended. Booster seats and car seats also have expiration dates, so it’s important to check your model.
To learn more about Washington Regional’s trauma program, click here.