Just like clothes and shoes, children grow out of their passenger safety seats depending on their height and weight - it has very little to do with age. Many parents and caregivers are uncertain as to when to move a child into either a booster or to a seatbelt.
According to the National Digital Car Seat Check Form (NDCF) database, nearly three-fourths (74.0%) of all car seats inspected by Child Passenger Safety Technicians in 2023 were improperly installed and used. Yet, a general consumer survey revealed only 1 in 5 parents and caregivers seek expert help installing a car seat or securing a child in a car seat.
The study also found three common misuses:
- The car seat installation is too loose
- Not using the tether when installing a forward-facing car seat with either the lower anchors or seat belt
- The harness is too loose when securing a child in a car seat
However, when used properly child safety seats account for thousands of saved lived and reduced injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shared the following statistics:
- In passenger cars, car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers 1 to 4 years old in passenger cars. For infants and toddlers in light trucks, the corresponding reductions are 58% and 59%, respectively.
- Since 1975, child restraints have saved the lives of an estimated 11,606 children under the age of 5.
- A recent study found that while most parents and caregivers believe they know how to properly install their car seats, about half (48%) have installed their child’s car seat incorrectly.
PLHS has several Certfified Child Passenger Seat Technicians available by appoint to check a child's safety seat. Car seat checks provide an opportunity to have your infant or toddler car seat checked by trained staff. You will be given an appointment time and should arrive with your seat already installed in your vehicle. Staff will check the seat and have you make any necessary changes to the installation of the seat. For more information or to schedule an appointment please call 605-882-7735.
In the meantime, Safe Kids provides a comprehensive online tool that can help you ensure a child's seat fit properly and when they may be ready to advance to the next step of passenger seat safety.