Any parent will know, car seats are time-consuming to install and can really test your patience. However, placing children in a properly installed car seat is an absolutely vital safety measure. Car accidents are the number one cause of death for children under the age of 13, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Car seats have the potential to save countless lives every year, but unfortunately, many of them are installed improperly and children who ride in car seats are still at risk for injury or death.
Incorrectly Installed Car Seats
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that roughly three-quarters of car seats have not been installed correctly. This severely reduces the potential positive impact of these safety devices. From 2002 to 2011, fatalities among children riding in car seats dropped from 614 to 397. It is impossible to predict how much lower those figures could go if installing the seats were easier or if more were being done to help people install them for their children.
Parents are also often unaware of the appropriate safety measures for the size and age of their children. Experts recommend a child remains in a rear-facing car seat until he is at least two years of age, unless he or she outgrows the size and weight limits of the seat. This is safer than a traditional seat.
Easy-Install Car Seats
Many newer vehicles come equipped with a latch system that is intended to simplify the installation process. Despite the presence of the latch devices, many parents still attempt to install car seats using the older method of looping a seat belt through the device.
Updated February 2016
Consumer reports compiled a list of some of the highest safety rated and easiest to install seats.
The following are equipped with easy-install capabilities and performed remarkably under testing:
- Chicco KeyFit & KeyFit 30
- Combi Shuttle
- Cybex Aton 2
- Safety 1st onboard 35 Air
- UPPAbaby Mesa
At The McClellan Law Firm, we understand the great pains you take to ensure your children’s safety, if you or your child has suffered harm due to a car accident, or a car seat malfunction, our San Diego personal injury attorneys can offer sound legal advice and aggressive representation.
For a free initial consultation contact us today!