Did You Know?
- Motor vehicle accidents represent the leading cause of death for children ages 2 to 12 in the United States
- According to the CDC, child safety seats reduce the risk of death in car crashes by 71% for infants and 54% for toddler ages 1 to 4
- For children ages 4 to 7, booster seats reduce injury risk by 59% compared to safety belts alone
- National studies have found that as many as 90% of car seats are not installed properly
- Children ages 12 and younger should always be buckled up and seated in the rear seat of vehicles
- Infants in rear-facing car seats should never ride in the front seat of vehicles with airbags
Choose the Right Seat
Whenever you're on the road, make sure your child passengers are buckled into properly secured child safety seats that are appropriate for their size. As children grow, there are four stages of child passenger safety which require different seats as shown below. Check the safety seat manufacturers' instructions for the exact height and weight limits of each seat.
Rear-Facing Seats in the back seat from birth to at least 1 year old and at least 20 pounds
Forward-Facing Toddler Seats in the back seat from age 1 and 20 pounds to about age 4 and 40 pounds
Booster Seats in the back seat from about age 4 to at least age 8, unless 4'9" tall
Safety Belts at age 8 and older or taller than 4'9". All children age 12 and under should ride in the back seat
Proper Safety Seat Installation
After choosing the most appropriate seat, proper installation is the next step to ensuring safety. Almost 90% of safety seats are installed incorrectly – most parents are unaware of improper installation. Having your child’s safety seat installed by a certified safety seat technician is one of the most effective ways to ensure proper installation.
Boston EMS is Here to Help
If you need assistance with safety seat installation, we are here to help. The Boston Public Health Commission and Boston EMS offer free safety seat checks and installation ensuring your child’s car seat is appropriately sized and installed correctly. We will also ensure your child is properly buckled in to his or her seat. In 2011, we conducted 477 car seat inspections and distributed 121 car seats. Reach out to us if you need assistance!
To make an appointment online click here or call 617-343-6891.
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