For most parents, ensuring the safety of their children is the utmost priority. The instinct to protect, akin to a mama bear’s, drives us to keep them safe, healthy, and whole. We obsess over a myriad of decisions that relate to this instinct. We heed warnings about hazardous materials like lead paint and ensure that cribs are safe. We childproof our homes with cabinet locks and stair gates when our little ones start to crawl. We guide toddlers to hold our hands while crossing streets and cleverly encourage them to consume more vegetables. As our children grow, we discuss the importance of stranger danger and teach them how to navigate getting lost in public spaces. Our worries persist whenever they venture out of our sight.
Yet, the most dangerous thing that parents do—something almost all of us engage in daily—often flies under the radar. It revolves around a routine we typically take for granted: placing our precious children in our vehicles and driving them around.
For children aged 0-19, car accidents are the leading cause of death, particularly when these kids are passengers in moving vehicles. I currently reside in Oregon, where seat belt compliance hovers around 97%, the highest in the nation. However, during my travels across various states, I’ve often witnessed alarming scenes: children roaming freely in the backseat of cars speeding down highways without seat belts. I’ve seen adults holding infants on their laps and multiple kids squeezed into a three-seat rear.
A staggering report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that over 618,000 children under the age of 12 rode in vehicles without appropriate safety seats, booster seats, or seat belts at least occasionally within a year.
Neglecting safety seats and seat belts is only part of the issue. Many safety-conscious parents mistakenly believe their children are properly secured when they are not. As a writer, I frequently search for stock images, and it’s surprisingly challenging to find one depicting a child in a car seat with the harness securely buckled and the chest clip in the correct position. This has become a running joke among my peers in writing.
A study reported in the Journal of Pediatrics highlighted that of 300 parents who installed car seats, a mere 5% did so without making errors. Alarmingly, 77% incorrectly installed the seat, 86% positioned the child wrongly, 69% had loose harnesses, and over a third placed the retainer clip too low—these findings pertain only to infant seats.
The challenges stem from the fact that car seats vary significantly, and their instructions can be perplexing. Moreover, guidelines about how long children should remain in car seats and boosters are constantly evolving, making it difficult for parents to stay informed. We often cling to our old practices, particularly if we haven’t faced any negative consequences, and resist adapting to new recommendations.
Statistically speaking, the act of putting our children in cars and driving them is the most hazardous activity parents undertake. Shouldn’t we strive to minimize this risk by continually educating ourselves and making necessary adjustments? When I was born, seat belts were not even a standard feature in vehicles. By the time my children were born, recommendations for rear-facing seats had only extended to a year. The adage holds true: when we learn better, we do better.
If you are uncertain about how to correctly install a car seat or adjust the straps, I recommend visiting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website. They can direct you to a child safety seat inspection station near you, where experts will check your installation and positioning at no charge. That one check could make the difference between life and death in a car accident involving your child. Isn’t that worth the effort?
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In summary, while we prioritize our children’s safety in various contexts, we often overlook the significant risks associated with car travel. It’s crucial to stay informed and proactive about car seat safety to protect our children effectively.