Improperly Installed Child Safety Seats Pose Serious Risks

Parents, grandparents, and other childcare providers are constantly on the lookout for potential dangers to their child’s well-being.  One of the most pressing dangers, though, involves a device specifically designed to keep little ones safe: the child safety seat, or car seat.

If you follow our recommendation of checking for product recalls, you will know that child safety seats are some of the most frequently recalled products on the market.  While defective car seats do pose significant risks, an equally concerning issue is installation of the seats.  After all, even a safe, non-defective car seat can endanger your child’s health if the seat is not properly installed.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 75% of child safety seats are improperly secured or left unsecured altogether.  This results in thousands of injuries or deaths to children every single year.  Motor vehicle accidents can cause serious personal injuries to even the most able-bodied adults.  It is unthinkable to expose young children to those same conditions without the security of a properly installed child safety seat.

While safety seat installation can be confusing, there are several resources available for those in need of assistance.  Many fire departments and most hospitals have a certified installer available by appointment to ensure that child safety seats are properly installed.  Most vehicles and nearly every car seat also have the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children system for a more secure installation than merely using a car’s seatbelt.

Please remember to not only check for car seat recalls, but also properly install the seat you have.  Your child is counting on you.

If your child has been injured as the result of a defective car seat, or otherwise injured in a car accident, contact the Cleveland, Ohio personal injury attorneys of Lowe Scott Fisher Co., LPA for a free telephone consultation.