In a deeply moving post, a mother from Illinois recounted her experience three weeks after a terrifying rollover accident that involved her and her young daughter. While driving to work, Jennifer Clarke lost control of her vehicle on a patch of ice, causing her SUV to tumble into a ditch and roll over one and a half times before resting on its side.
“Dear Diono, it’s taken me weeks to gather my thoughts and write this,” Jennifer began her emotional message on Facebook. “I can say with absolute certainty that your car seat saved my daughter’s life that day.”
Selecting baby gear can often feel daunting and costly, but Jennifer made it a priority to thoroughly research her daughter’s car seat. “My family thought I was ridiculous for spending months searching for the right car seat after my daughter was born. I watched crash test videos repeatedly until I found the safest option, the Diono Rainier,” she shared.
Despite her careful selection, not everyone in the family was convinced. With a price tag close to $400, her husband was hesitant about the expenditure. “He thought I was crazy for spending such a large amount on a car seat,” she recalled.
Gratefully, Jennifer expressed her appreciation for the research she conducted, as the Diono seat protected her daughter during the accident. “No parent should have to look back to see if their child is okay, but if you ever do, I hope you see what I saw. My child was perfectly secure in her car seat, completely unharmed. Everything around her was damaged, yet she had not a single scratch.”
In response to her heartfelt post, Diono expressed relief that her family emerged safe from the incident. “We are thankful your family is safe! Stories like yours enhance awareness about car seat safety and the importance of proper installation and harnessing every time you drive,” the company stated.
Many commenters joined in, sharing their gratitude for the Diono brand. However, as Diono highlighted, proper installation is crucial. Jennifer emphasized that she followed detailed installation videos from Diono and had the seat inspected by a trained technician to ensure it was correctly installed.
“My advice to fellow parents is to conduct thorough research,” Jennifer urged. “Never assume any seat will keep your child safe. Do everything possible to ensure their protection. There’s nothing more valuable than your child’s safety.” Many police and fire stations offer free car seat checks, and you can find a car seat inspector near you by visiting NHTSA’s website.
As noted by experts on car seat safety, “the best car seat is one that fits securely in your vehicle, accommodates your child’s age, height, and weight, and is easy for you to use correctly every single time.” While higher prices do not always equal higher safety, the costs of car seats can accumulate as children grow and their needs change. Ultimately, as Jennifer poignantly stated, “there’s no price on your child’s life.”
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In summary, this story highlights the importance of selecting the right car seat and ensuring its proper installation for the safety of young children. Investing time and resources in car seat research can make a significant difference in protecting loved ones.