Did you know that more than half of children's car seats are used or installed by parents incorrectly? As fathers, the attorneys at Brady / Donahue fully understand the importance of child safety while driving, especially taking into consideration Vermont's often wet or icy road conditions. For new parents and seasoned veterans alike, here are some helpful tips to ensure proper car seat safety for your little ones.

Select the right car seat

First and foremost, head over to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website and learn about the different types of car seats for children. It's extremely important to use a car seat that fits your child's age, height, and weight, and to change it out as they grow older. The four main types of child car seats and restraints are:
1. Rear-facing car seats - The best seat for a young child. It has a harness and, in a crash, cradles, and moves with your child to reduce the stress to the child's fragile neck and spinal cord.
2. Forward-facing car seats - Has a harness and tether that limits your child's forward movement during a crash.
3. Booster seats - Positions the seat belt so that it fits properly over the stronger parts of a child's body.
4. Seat belts - Should lie across the upper thighs and be snug across the shoulder and chest to restrain your child safely in a crash. It should not rest on the stomach area or across the neck or face.

When choosing the proper car seat for your child, make sure to refer to the manufacturer's recommendations for height and weight limits.

Install the seat correctly

It's critical to follow the manufacturer's instructions when installing a child safety seat because every car and the car seat is different. In general, know that the car seat must be secured tightly and it should not be able to move more than 1 in. side-to-side or front-to-back. Always place the car seat in the back of the vehicle, never in the front passenger seat. If you have any doubts or questions, most Vermont police or fire stations offer free safety inspections.

If you've ever picked up a rental car at the airport and ordered a car seat for your child, you may have noticed that the rental agency will not install it for you. They do this to reduce their liability in the event of an accident. Since the car seat and car will likely be unfamiliar to you, take your time to learn all the necessary safety components - better yet, bring your own car seat on the flight as a "checked bag" and install it in the rental car per manufacturer guidelines.

Keep your child safe

Occasionally car seat manufacturers will issue safety recalls or notices so it's important to register your car seat and sign up with the NHTSA to receive alerts for car seats or booster recalls. Before driving anywhere, ensure that your child is properly buckled into the car seat and that the seat is secure in the car. As always, the best way to prevent a car seat-related personal injury or accident is to practice defensive driving, avoid distractions like texting and phone calls, and follow local driving laws. Make sure you know what to do after a car accident in Vermont.

Vermont laws and important information

Under Vermont law, all infants under 1-year-old and under 20 lb must ride in a rear-facing car seat, and it cannot be placed directly in front of an airbag. Furthermore, all children under the age of 8 must ride in a car seat or booster seat. There are hefty fines for failing to follow Vermont child safety laws - whether you're cruising down I-89 or crossing an old country road, it's imperative to follow the state's rules regarding child car seats.

At Brady / Donahue, we help Vermonters with personal injury or workers’ compensation claims of all types, including car accidents. If you or your child have been injured in a car accident, first dial 911. Then, talk to an attorney at Brady / Donahue to learn about your rights.