AAA: Parents Should Keep Children in Rear-Facing Car Seats as Long as Possible

17 September 2010

 

NEWS RELEASE

CONTACT: Leticia Messam, manager, AAA Traffic Safety, (813) 288-7988 office, (813) 786-7830 cell 

 

Michele Harris, director, AAA Traffic Safety Culture, (813) 289-5831 office, (813) 785-2335 cell
 AAA: PARENTS SHOULD KEEP CHILDREN IN REAR-FACING CHILD SAFETY SEATS AS LONG AS POSSIBLE

 

National Child Passenger Safety Week is September 19-25 and AAA has updated its safety recommendations as part of its Seated, Safe and Secure initiative

 
TAMPA, Fla. (Sept. 17, 2010) – AAA now advises parents of infants and toddlers to secure their children in rear-facing child safety seats for as long as possible, maxing out the upper weight or height limits of the car seat. Research shows toddlers are 75 percent less likely to die or be seriously injured in a crash when they ride in a rear-facing car seat up to their second birthday. National Child Passenger Safety Week is September 19-25 and AAA has updated its safety recommendations as part of its Seated, Safe and Secure initiative
 
“The latest research clearly shows children are safer when riding in a rear-facing car seat as long as possible,” said Leticia Messam, AAA Traffic Safety Manager. “AAA views this as an opportunity to empower parents to help them best protect their most prized possession—their children.”
 
AAA recommends the following child passenger safety best practices:
  • Always read the car seat manufacturer’s instructions and vehicle owner’s manual. 
  • Keep children rear-facing as long as possible – into their second year of life until they reach the upper weight or height limit of their rear-facing convertible seat. This will usually be around 30-35 pounds. 
  • Once children outgrow the upper weight or height limit of their rear-facing convertible seats, they can ride in a forward-facing child safety seat.
  • Children should use a forward-facing child safety seat until they reach the maximum weight (usually 40-65 lbs.) or height for the harness.
  • Children should ride in a booster seat until age 8 or older unless they are 4’9” tall.
  • Move children to adult lap/shoulder belts when they are at least 4’ 9" tall (which usually happens between ages 8 and 12) and vehicle safety belts fit properly.
  • For all children under age 13, the back seat is the safest place.
 
Three out of four child safety seats are not properly installed and consulting an expert can be critical to ensure children are secured in the safest manner possible. Experts are available to help parents with their car seat installation by calling their local AAA office to see where the nearest site is for installation. For more additional information on AAA’s child passenger safety resources for parents and caregivers, visit AAA.com/SafeSeats4Kids.   
 
AAA Auto Club South has 79 branch offices serving more than 4.1 million members in Florida, Georgia, West and Middle Tennessee and Puerto Rico. Since its founding in 1938, AAA Auto Club South has worked to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve travel safety.
 

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