As a personal injury lawyer in Mississauga can tell you, car accidents are a harrowing experience. As such, any and all drivers should take whatever precautions they can to avoid car accident injuries. This is especially important if you’re the parent of a young child. Proper use of a car seat is essential with children; manufacturers design cars to carry (and thus protect) adults, so, without the proper preparation, your child could be in danger whenever you hit the road. Here are some tips for child safety in cars.
Forward-Facing vs. Backward-Facing
Car seats give parents a mountain of grief, from tricky buckles to indecipherable installation instructions to squirming kids, but getting them right is crucial for your child. One of the biggest areas of confusion amongst parents is whether to use a forward-facing seat or a backward-facing one. Backward-facing seats are safer overall, however children can only fit in them until a certain size. The minimum weight at which you can switch from backwards to forwards is 22 pounds. There are backward-facing seats on the market, though, that can support up to 50 pounds. After that weight, forward-facing seats will be necessary.
When to Boost?
Switching to the booster seat from the car seat is the next big dilemma for parents. The law requires that children be 40 pounds before they can use a booster seat, but there are other factors to keep in mind, including your child’s behaviour. Booster seats are simply props to get the seatbelt to fit properly over your child; if, after being put into the booster seat, your child still fidgets with the strap or falls asleep and slips out, a booster won’t be a safer option.
A personal injury lawyer in Mississauga can help you with all sorts of safety facts. And if your car seat doesn’t hold up to safety standards after an accident, a personal injury lawyer in Mississauga can fight to secure the compensation you deserve. Contact a Toronto personal injury law firm today.
Source:
http://www.seatsforkidscanada.com/FAQ.html