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Child Car Safety Rules

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the leading cause of death among children in the United States is motor vehicle injuries. Following proper child safety precautions can prevent unnecessary injury and death among children ages 14 and younger. Child car safety extends beyond the use of child safety seats and includes being aware of the risks of unsupervised children in a vehicle as well.

  1. Air Bags

    • In the event of a crash-inflatable passenger air bags can kill small children. According to the CDC, the risk of injury from air bags is reduced by 40 percent when children travel in the back seat of the vehicle away from the passenger air bag. Some two passenger vehicles, such as pickup trucks, are equipped with safety switches that deactivate the passenger air bag in the event that a child is the second passenger. Drivers must be careful to use this device to ensure safety for child passengers.

    Supervision

    • Children are at risk of danger in a matter of minutes when left unattended in a vehicle. Risk of dehydration, hypothermia, sunburn and heat stroke are serious consequences of leaving a child unattended. Additionally, children can accidentally put the vehicle in motion, causing harm to themselves or others and accidentally or intentionally locking out the adult.

    Safety Seats

    • Each state has its own child safety seat rules; however, typically it is determined that children under age 8 and under 40 pounds are safest when secured in a safety seat. According to the Mayo Clinic, children under 40 pounds are safest in a rear-facing infant seat, while children 40 pounds or more can sit facing forward. Adults should never ride in a moving vehicle while holding an infant regardless of age--the safest place for infants is in a safety seat

    Seat Belts

    • Children are ready to safely use seat belts and discontinue the use of a safety seat when they meet specific requirements. The ability to sit against the back of the seat with knees bent comfortably, with the lap belt resting flat across the thighs and shoulder belt resting on the shoulders, is essential. This requirement is typically met when children are between the ages of 8 and 12, when they reach 4 foot 9 inches. Children should never share a single seat belt.

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