Common Mistakes Minnesota Parents Make with Car Seats
Car crashes are the leading killer of children under the age of 14 in Minnesota.
Most parents think their child is safely secured but an alarming 75% of car seats are used incorrectly. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety lists these common mistakes made by parents:
Common Child Passenger Safety Mistakes
Turning a child from a rear-facing restraint to a forward-facing restraint too soon. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now recommends keeping children rear-facing until 2 years old if possible.
Restraint is not secured tight enough — it should not shift more than one inch side-to-side or out from the seat.
Harness on the child is not tight enough — if you can pinch harness material, it’s too loose.
Retainer clip is up too high or too low — should be at the child’s armpit level.
The child is in the wrong restraint — don’t rush your child into a seat belt.
It is also important to make sure your child is in an age-appropriate car seat. Click here to see if your child is properly restrained.
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