Child Passenger Safety


The following information was obtained from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ("NHTSA"):

• Fact: In a 30 mph crash (which is much slower than most of us drive to the grocery store!), an unrestrained child is thrown forward with a force similar to falling from a three-story building.
• Fact: Holding a 25-pound child in a 30 mph crash is like trying to catch a 750-pound block of cement. Holding a child o­n your lap puts the child in a position to be crushed between you and the dashboard.

When properly installed, child safety seats save lives. The NHTSA estimates that child safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 69% for infants and by 47% for toddlers (ages 1-4).

Remember: this is not a o­ne-size-fits-all product.

When selecting a child safety seat, be sure that the seat meets federal safety standards and is compatible with your vehicle. Test it.

If you are unable to install the seat securely, call the manufacturer or your vehicle manufacturer for assistance. If you continue to have problems, return the seat for a model that is more compatible with your vehicle.

NEVER place a rear facing infant seat in the front seat or near an airbag. Children belong in the back seat. All safety seats should be installed in the back.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CPS/