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After children outgrow their car seats, parents need to take a careful look at their size and find an appropriate booster seat. Thousands of young children suffer serious injuries in motor vehicle collisions each year, but research shows that booster seats reduce the likelihood of serious injuries and death.
According to the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), children between the ages of 7 and 12 must ride in booster seats until the vehicle restraints fit correctly. Aside from finding a booster seat that is suitable for a child’s height and weight, parents must install the booster seat correctly.
How to Install a Booster Seat
Although most booster seats have similar designs, parents should check the safety manual for their booster seat and their vehicle’s safety manual for specific installation instructions. Shoulder and lap belts work with the booster seat, and they have been installed correctly when the vehicle’s seat belt fits children securely across their chest, shoulder, and upper thighs. If the lap belt rests above the pelvis, it may cause internal organs to rupture during a collision. It may also affect the back, leading to spinal cord injuries.
Generally, booster seats have clips to allow parents to position these belts properly. Children under 13 years old should always ride in the backseat.
How Booster Seats Protect Children
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), booster seats play a key role in protecting children between the ages of 4 and 8 during a traffic collision. In fact, research shows that booster seats reduce the likelihood of serious injuries for passengers in this age group by 45%. Thus, it is advisable to utilize booster seats to adhere to state law and to keep your children safe.
Was your child injured by a defective booster seat and/or in a motor vehicle crash? Contact McGinn Montoya Love Curry & Sievers PA, PA online today.
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