3 Tips for Keeping Children Safe in Vehicles

It is an undisputed fact that seatbelts can save lives and reduce the severity of car crash injuries. There are thousands of serious car crashes every year, and more children in the United States die due to accidents than to any other cause, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The cost of these accidents is significant, and the impact they have on families can be traumatic. Your children are irreplaceable, and while you cannot necessarily prevent all accidents, there are several measures you can take to improve their safety and reduce the risk of injury.

Even the most careful drivers get into serious collisions. If you are suffering from injuries from a crash that was not your fault, give the Churdar Law Firm a call at 864-233-0203. We can connect you with a qualified Greenville personal-injury lawyer who has achieved successful outcomes in a wide range of injury cases.

One of the most important safety mechanisms is your car’s seatbelts. Here are three important tips regarding how to use them correctly with your children:

1. Make Sure Children Are Ready

Many parents fail to make sure that children are ready to use seatbelts before strapping them in the backseat. UMakeItClick.org suggests conducting a test first to establish if it is appropriate for your child to use a regular seatbelt.

First, your child’s knees should be able to bend over the front of the seat when he or she leans back in the seat of the car. The lap belt should run across the upper thighs, and the shoulder belt should go comfortably across the chest and shoulder.

Generally speaking, children are only ready for adult seatbelts when they are between the ages of 8 and 12 years old. It is critical that your child does not use an adult seatbelt before he or she is big enough.

2. Lead by Example

Children will follow your example in the car, and it is important to help them develop the habit of always wearing a safety belt. According to UMakeItClick.org, most children who see their parents wearing seatbelts will do the same.

3. Encourage Your Child to Sit Upright

A seatbelt is only truly effective if the passenger is sitting upright with the belt fitted correctly. While it may be difficult to enforce, particularly on longer journeys, teach your children not to slouch in the chair or lean out the car window. Encourage them to wear the belt correctly, which means not slipping the shoulder strap behind their back.

Some car accidents are unavoidable, and if you or a member of your family is struggling from the impact of a serious crash that was not your fault, give us a call. Upstate Lawyer can assess your case to determine if you may have a legitimate claim for medical expenses or lost wages. To speak to an experienced Greenville accident attorney, call us today at 864-233-0203.