Child Car Seat Safety: Expert Tips Could Save Lives as Motor Vehicle Deaths Remain Leading Cause for Youth

Motor vehicle crashes killed more than 1,000 children ages 14 and younger in 2023, making traffic accidents a leading cause of death for young people in the United States. Safety advocates are urging parents to focus on proper car seat installation and usage as a critical prevention measure.

Dr. Maneesha Agarwal, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, says many children injured or killed in crashes are either completely unrestrained or using restraints improperly. The solution lies in selecting the right car seat and installing it correctly.

Choosing the Right Seat

Very young children should remain in rear-facing seats as long as possible, until reaching the maximum height and weight limits specified by the manufacturer. The progression then moves to forward-facing seats, followed by booster seats. Parents who have discarded instruction manuals can find them on most car seat manufacturers' websites.

Proper Installation

The Safe Kids Worldwide organization recommends using either the vehicle's seat belt or lower anchor system to secure the seat—never both simultaneously. Forward-facing seats require an additional tether strap along with either the seat belt or lower anchors. A properly fitted harness provides additional protection.

Child passenger safety technicians, available at locations such as fire stations, can verify correct installation. As Dr. Agarwal notes, even the safest drivers cannot control the actions of other motorists.

Watch the full video report for complete safety demonstrations and additional expert advice on protecting your child in the car.