Though most of us don’t like to think about it, car travel is dangerous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) there are close to 40,000 fatal crashes in the U.S. per year. Fortunately, car seats and booster seats have decreased the number of babies and children injured or killed in car accidents.
On March 23, 2011, the American Academy of Pediatrics updated their guidelines for car seats to make car travel even more safe for babies and children. They are now recommending that children be placed in rear facing car seats until they are two years old, and in a booster seat until they reach a height of 4’9.” Additionally they have updated guidelines for children with special needs. These updates can be found at: http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics.
Many parents have asked if the new guidelines are the law. No, the Oklahoma Child Restraint Law specifies only that “children five (5) years old or younger must be properly restrained in either a child car seat or a booster seat appropriate for their height and weight. Children ages six (6) through twelve (12) must be properly restrained in either a child car seat, booster seat, or seat belt. ‘Properly restrained’ means that the restraint system is correctly installed and being used in accordance with the seat manufacturer’s instructions.”
So, while keeping your child backwards facing until the age of 2 is currently not required by law, it has been found to be the safest way for children in this age group to travel.
I have always recommended that parents keep children in some type of car seat till they are at least 4’9.” This is the height that allows a child to wear a seatbelt properly: fitting across the upper thighs, not the abdomen, and fitting snugly across the shoulders, not the neck or face.
It is also safest for children under the age of 13 to ride in the back seat of vehicles. (This rule was not popular our house when our son was 12. At that age he was taller than me and claimed that I should sit in the back seat!) Finally, make sure that your child’s car seat is installed properly. Even the most expensive car seat won’t keep your baby or child safe from harm if it is not installed and used properly. Thanks to SafeKids, there are car seat checking stations throughout the Tulsa area. To find a checking station near you visit www.safekidstulsa.com or call 918-494-SAFE.
Be an example for your children by using your seatbelt and making sure your children are safely restrained!
For additional information on car seat safety visit:

http://www.seatcheck.org

http://cert.safekids.org

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cps/cpsfitting/index.cfm