One of the most critical responsibilities of a parent or guardian is to ensure that their child or children are adequately secured with the right seat or restraint while riding in a vehicle. Keeping children safe in cars involves the proper use of seatbelts, booster seats, and car seats. Moreover, car crash deaths are a common cause of death for infants and young children. That is why the car accident attorney from Robert J. DeBry & Associates recommends fitting a child correctly in a seat belt or booster seat to avoid such unfortunate accidents.
Fitting A Child Correctly in a Booster Seat
Any car accident attorney will tell you that a child is ready to use a booster seat after attaining at least four years of age, weighs 18kg, and has already outgrown the forward-facing car seat. For safety while using a booster belt, the child should sit correctly. Here is how to fit a child perfectly in a booster seat:
- A parent/guardian must ensure to use a booster seat in a vehicle seat with both shoulder and lap seatbelts
- They must provide position the booster seat at the back away from any active airbag
- They should adjust the lap and shoulder belts such that the shoulder strap centers across their child’s shoulders and the middle of the chest.
- They must ensure the lap belt crosses low over the hips
- They must avoid using seatbelt adjusters
- Ensure the child’s head has support
Fitting A Child Correctly in a Seat Belt
Robert J. DeBry & Associates advises their clients to avoid having their children injured in a car crash by fitting them properly in seat belts. A child is ready to use a seat belt when they attain the age of between 9 to 12 years and are at least 145 cm tall. However, suppose a child cannot sit upright and comfortably for an entire trip. In that case, the car accident attorney from Robert J. DeBry & Associates recommends taking them back to using a booster seat until they are ready. Here is how to fit a child safely in a seat belt:
- Ensure their knees are comfortably bent at the edge of the vehicle seat
- Ensure their lap belt stays low across the hips
- Ensure the shoulder belt crosses the chest and stays between the neck and shoulder
- Ensure each child has their seatbelt
- Children under 13 should strap in the vehicle’s back seat.
Furthermore, car seat belts and boosters protect infants and children in the event of a crash. In case of an accident, a car accident attorney or representative from Robert J. DeBry & Associates is available to help 24/7 by visiting our website or calling (801) 699-9999.