Cars and Child Safety Reminders
Every parent’s worst nightmare is something harmful happening to their children. Unfortunately, there is a lot that is out of our control. But when it comes to cars and child safety, there is a lot that we can do to make sure our children are out of harm’s way.
The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports on cars and child safety issues. Based on a 2019 CDC report, motor vehicle injuries are one of the leading causes of death among children in the United States. In 2017 alone, almost 116,000 children aged 12 years old and younger were injured in car accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 675 children aged 12 years and younger died in car accidents. These are sobering statistics, but your child does not have to be one of these numbers. We take a look at common child safety risks related to cars. This includes car seats, ride sharing, heatstroke, and other motor vehicle dangers.
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Car Seat Safety
For more information, review our car seat safety guide. Below we outline some basic tips for child car seat safety:
- Remember to buckle your own seat belt every ride, no matter how short of a drive. Children learn a lot by example. If you are not buckling your own seatbelt, your children will get the wrong message.
- Have the correct car seat for your child’s weight and height. There are many kinds of car seats, which can feel overwhelming. It is important to be clear which one fits your needs and which one is meant for your child’s measurements. Some car seats are convertible seats that “grow” with your child. But other car seats are only safe for children up until a certain weight or height. Always stay up to date as children grow fast!
- Children under 12 years old must sit in the back seat. Safety features in the front passenger seat, like air bags, are meant to protect adults. Nevada’s Department of Motor Vehicles recommends children should be kept in rear facing seats for as long as possible.
- Select a car seat that fits your vehicle. Not all car seats work for all types of cars.
- Infants and toddlers up to 2-4 years old should be in rear facing car seats.
- Always double check that your car seat is properly installed.
- When a child outgrows the rear facing seat, use a forward-facing car seat with a harness.
- After a child outgrows the forward-facing car seat, use a booster seat so that the seatbelt fits properly.
- Once a child outgrows the booster seat, make sure they use a seat belt every trip just like the adults.
- When a child is old enough and big enough to use a seat belt, make sure they are ready by doing a Safety Belt Fit Test. Proper seat belt use means the lap belt fits snugly across the hips or upper thighs. It should not be over the stomach. The shoulder belt should fit across the shoulder and chest. It should not be across the face or neck or under the arm.
- Keep up to date with car seat manufacturer warranties, safety issues, expiration dates and recalls. Register your car seat so that it is easier to stay on top of any safety notices.
Taxis and Ridesharing
The laws around ride sharing cars and child safety are different in each state. However, if you are traveling with your child in a car that is not your own, you should bring your own child safety seat.
There are so many ways to help prevent injuries to your child in the car. Sometimes, no matter how careful people are, accidents and injuries still happen. At these times it’s good to have an experienced Las Vegas car accident lawyer on your side. Get in touch with us today and schedule your free case analysis. Don’t wait: what you do shortly after an accident can set the course for your future. Let Anthem Injury Lawyers help you get the compensation you deserve. Call (702) 857-6000 now.
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Other Cars and Child Safety Tips
There are other aspects to car safety for children, besides car seats. One of the most important tips is to never leave your child alone in or around a vehicle. This seems obvious, but it applies to all the cars and child safety items below.
Seat Belts
Even though seat belts are meant to keep us and our children safe, they can pose a safety hazard if not used properly. Seat belt entanglement is when a child pulls the seat belt out and gets tangled, or at worst, strangled by the belt. Most seat belts have a lock feature to avoid this mishap. But some older model vehicles do not. Always make sure your children are properly restrained before driving. If there is an unused seat belt within your child’s reach, buckle it.
Overheating
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that heatstroke is one of the leading causes of fatalities among children other than car crashes. Heatstroke happens when your core body temperature reaches around 104 degrees. This can happen pretty quickly and can be very dangerous. A car parked in the Nevada sun can get hot easily. Never leave a child unattended in a car.
Trunk Entrapment
Vehicles manufactured after September 1, 2001, are manufactured with trunk releases inside the trunk compartment, which glow in the dark. Show your child where this release is and how to use it. Most importantly, teach your children that trunks are not for playing. If you have fold-down seats in the back, make sure they are closed and locked. This will ensure your children can’t climb into the trunk from inside the car.
Backover Accidents
A back over accident is when a vehicle is backing out of a driveway or parking spot and accidentally backs over a child. Never leave a child unattended in or around vehicles. Always walk around your car before getting into it and backing out. Roll down your windows and turn off the radio so you can hear what is going on outside.
Power Windows
Children can get injured when a window closes on their fingers, hand, or arm. Though rare, there have been some instances when the window closes on a child’s neck. Even if you have child safety window locks on your car windows, children might still find a way to play with them. Always make sure your children’s hands, feet, and head are clear of windows before you close them.
Vehicle Rollaway
Although vehicle roll away is uncommon, it is still possible. All vehicles made after 2010 are required to have Brake Transmission Safety Interlock (BTSI). BTSI prevents a vehicle transmission from being shifted out of park. This prevents most rollaways, but cars that have keyless ignition for example, could still be susceptible. Always use your emergency brake, even if you’re on even ground. Make sure your car is in park before turning off the car. Do not leave your keys in the car. And, again, never leave children alone in or around vehicles.
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Anthem Injury Lawyers
Anthem Injury Lawyers is a team of experienced, dedicated personal injury lawyers and case managers based in Henderson, Nevada. We are ready to represent you in car seat failure cases, and more car accident cases in Nevada. We serve clients in a range of personal injury cases in the Las Vegas area. With over 25 years of experience, Anthem Injury Lawyers specializes in personal injury claims. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
Sometimes people are unsure if they need an attorney, or if a car accident attorney can really make a difference in receiving compensation. Our Las Vegas car accident lawyers offer you a much better chance to receive the compensation you deserve. It’s okay to inform yourself with some data from the Internet—but getting individualized legal advice is always best. Well-meaning friends may tell you that a car accident lawyer in Las Vegas is too expensive. However, we work on a contingency basis, so you won’t have to worry about affordability. With our extensive car accident case experience, you have the best chance for a positive outcome for your case. Remember: when it comes to seeking maximum compensation, you’ll want to put your case in the hands of the experts. Time is of the essence; consult with our Las Vegas car accident lawyers and let us learn more about the incident, so we can determine if you have a case, and if so, we’ll aggressively fight for your rights. Call Anthem Injury Lawyers today for a free case analysis: (702) 857-6000.
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