Parents concerned for their child’s safety on the road now have a comprehensive resource to get facts, research statistics and debunk myth.
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia earlier this month launched the Car Seat Safety for Kids site, with the Keeping Kids Safe During Crashes as part of an outreach program designed to educate parents about car seat safety and prevention car accidents in South Florida and across the country.
The site features easily understandable, straightforward advice about car seats and car seat safety for parents of infants, toddlers and those ages 4 to 8 and older. It even offers tips for expectant moms and dads on everything from seat belt safety during pregnancy to how to prepare for your baby’s first ride home.
Our Pembroke Pines car accident lawyers have seen firsthand the immense pain, suffering and guilt that results when a child dies in a crash – especially if the death was preventable.
We know child car seats can be somewhat complicated to properly install, especially if you are a novice or first-time parent.
We also understand that motor vehicle accidents are sometimes unavoidable.
However, serious injury and death don’t have to be inevitable if parents and other caregivers take the time to learn about the correct installation and positioning, as well as what aspects to look for when purchasing a child car seat.
In the state of Florida, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that children under the age of 3 are required to be placed in a car seat – every trip, without exception. Failure to follow this law can result not only in fines and points on your license, it could lead to a tragedy.
In fact, motor vehicle accidents are known to be the No. 1 cause of death for children between the ages of 3 and 14. That’s a terrifying statistic for every parent.
It doesn’t end there.
In 2008, researchers determined four children were killed every single day in car accidents and more than 500 were injured.
Now the good news. The NHTSA reports that the lives of nearly 9,000 children were saved between 1975 and 2008.
Our Pembroke Pines car accident attorneys want to make sure that if you’re in an accident, your child will be protected.
Suzanne Hill, director of Advocacy Outreach at the Center for Injury Research and Prevention, said her office partnered with the hospital to publish not just articles on the new website, but updated videos to offer visual guides. She added that the site will soon offer Spanish translations to all of its material as well.
While the Keeping Kids Safe During Car Crashes site offers a plethora of resources for parents, four main tips are spotlighted:
–Make sure your child is either in a car seat or buckled in every time, no exceptions.
–Keep your child in the back seat.
–Use the best safety restraint for your child’s size.
–Make sure that either the car seat or seat belt is being properly used.
If you or your child has been injured in a car accident in Pembroke Pines, Delray Beach, Fort Pierce, Coral Springs or the surrounding areas, contact Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC for free initial consultation. Call 1-800-561-7777 to speak with an attorney today.
Additional Resources:
Car Seat Safety for Kids, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
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