What Parents Need to Know About Child Passenger Safety Seats

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death and injury for all children. According to our friends at AAA, child restraints (car seats) reduce the risk of injury by 71% to 82% and reduce the risk of death by 28% in comparison to children in seat belts alone. Booster seats reduce the risk of nonfatal injuries by 45% among 4 to 8 year olds.

All vehicle occupants need to be properly restrained by child safety seats or seat belts to prevent injury in case of a sudden stop, swerve or crash. Seat belts and car seats contact the strongest parts of the body, spread crash forces over a wide area, help the body slow down and protect the brain and spinal cord.


Did you know 3 out of 4 car seats are installed incorrectly?

Before you install a car seat, be sure to read both the car seat instruction manual and your vehicle’s owner manual. Also consider having an expert check the seat. The service is free! Though the Los Angeles Fire Department does not presently have certified technicians, locating a nearby expert for your free inspection is as simple as calling (866) SEAT-CHECK or clicking seatcheck.org

The best car seat is one that:

• Fits your child.
• Fits the vehicle.
• And you will use correctly every trip!

Research indicates that safety belts and car seats are the most effective devices in preventing serious injuries and deaths in vehicle crashes. For information on child passenger safety, visit:

seatcheck.org

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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