Child Passenger Safety Week

Child in a car seat

Child Passenger Safety Week

Every day, parents and caregivers drive young children to and from school, daycare, the store, doctor’s appointments, and around town in car seats and boosters.

What you probably don’t realize is that nearly half of all car seats are incorrectly installed. This means your child may not be traveling as safely as possible.

That is why observing Child Passenger Safety Week is so important.

Danger on the Road

According to the United States Department of Transportation, in 2018, every 32 seconds, a child under the age of 13 traveling as a passenger in a vehicle was involved in a crash.

Furthermore, between 2013 and 2017, 3,313 children under 13 killed were killed while riding in passenger vehicles. In 2018 the death toll reached 636.

These alarming statistics help explain why traffic accidents are a leading cause of death for children in our country.

happy child in a car seat with a teddy bear

Reducing the Risk

Car and booster seats, when installed correctly, are proven to help keep children safe while riding in the car. Studies show that car seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury for infants by 71% and 54% for toddlers.

Unfortunately, many of us don’t know how to install a car seat correctly. Thankfully there are ways we can help improve our children’s safety.

Get a Professional to Check Your Car Seat

The best way to know if you’ve installed your car seat correctly is to have a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician check it.

These professionals can also answer questions for you this way; you can be confident you are using the car seat correctly.

If you don’t know a certified child passenger safety technician, you use this simple search tool to locate one nearby.

father buckling his child into a car seat

Don’t Forget to Register Your Car Seat

When you purchase a car seat or a booster seat, make sure you register it with the manufacturer. All seats come with a postage-paid registration card for you to mail, or you can also register your purchase online.

Doing so will ensure the manufacturer will notify you if they find a manufacturing defect. This way, you can either get your seat repaired or replaced.

Know Where to Go in Case of an Emergency.

Use the Right Seat

Finding the right seat for your child is extremely important. As children grow, they will need to transition to a more size appropriate seat.

If you are not sure, check to make sure you’re using the right car seat, booster seat for your growing child.

What to Do If Your Child is in a Car Accident

Even minor car accidents can cause severe injuries in young children. Therefore, even if you don’t see any visible trauma, it’s best to visit the nearest Altus Emergency Center.

The impact could cause concussions and sprains that could go undetected and possibly cause complications later on.

For your peace of mind, all our locations have pediatric examining rooms and specially trained physicians and nurses to help take care of your child. Our staff will care for your child as if it were their own because, at Altus, you are family.

Did you know that Insurance Companies Must Cover ER Trips Involving Traffic Accidents?

Yes! It’s important to remember that insurance companies are obligated to offer emergency room coverage in their policies. If you are involved in a car accident and need to go to the emergency room, your insurance policy will cover your visit.

Some injuries are more time-sensitive than others, in these cases it is better to transfer the patient to a ER facility such as any of the Altus Emergency Centers where they can be treated by a licensed emergency physician right away, rather than transport them to a Hospital ER where their treatment might be delayed due to overcrowding issues.

child in car seat
Altus Emergency Room Baytown

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