Children and Seat Belts
Would you push your child out in front of an oncoming car?
No?
Then why would you allow your child to ride in your car without
their seatbelt on?
Either way, the impact could be deadly.
If your reasoning is you are only going to the store, or just
dropping them off at school, think again. Most accidents happen
within 25 miles of home. A collision at thirty miles per hour is
equal to jumping off a three-story building. Over 600
unrestrained children under the age of 5 are killed every year
and 80,000 are injured as passengers in car wrecks. Seat belts
could have prevented over 50% of these injuries and fatalities.
Research shows that when adults buckle up, 87% of children
buckle up too. Parents and children are spending more time in
vehicles than in the past, so why not buckle up and be safe?
Buckle up, set a good example, and ensure your children are
restrained.
Children under the age of 5 should be in child restraint seats
and children under the age of 13 should always ride in the back
seat. From birth to 20 lbs, babies should be in rear-facing car
seats, which are reclined 45 degrees. From 1 to 4 years,
children should be in forward facing cars seats. Until children
are 8 or 57" tall, they should be in boosters with lap and
shoulder belts. Be sure your car seats are also installed
properly. If you are unsure, check with your local police
department or with the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration for a local inspection station.
There is no valid excuse not to use your seat belts. Buckle up,
buckle your children up and be safe.