New Car Seat Recommendations  

Car seats are meant to keep your most precious cargo safe and unharmed in the event of a car accident. There are a wide variety of brands and styles, from rear-facing infant seats to booster seats that are secured with the vehicle’s seat belt.

There are also specific recommendations based on the height, weight, and age of the child. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently updated their recommendations for the age limit for rear-facing car seats, to reduce the risk of injury if there is an accident.

Prior to these new recommendations, parents were urged to keep children in rear-facing seats until at least the age of 2. The AAP now says that children should remain in their rear-facing seats until they reach the seat’s maximum height and weight limit, even if they are older than two.

For most children, this means that they will remain in their rear-facing car seat until they are approximately four years old.

Benefits of Rear-Facing Car Seats

According to a certified technician for the non-profit organization Safe Kids Worldwide, children should stay in their rear-facing seats for as long as possible, because it is much safer for their legs; even for children with longer legs. This position also does a better job of protecting a child’s head and neck in the event of an accident.

The certified technician teaches parents how to properly install their car seats, and why it is so important to keep them rear-facing as long as possible.

Many parents switch their child to a forward-facing seat for any number of reasons. They want to look in the rear-view mirror and be able to see, and interact with, their child. Also, as the child gets older, he or she may want to face forward, so that he or she can see the parents in the front seat.

Safety First

If the child becomes fussy every time a parent must secure them into the car seat, a parent may look for any excuse to be able to switch seats. However, it is much better to deal with a fussy child than to put their safety at risk by switching car seats too soon.

These new recommendations also apply to older children who are in forward-facing seats or booster seats. The AAP says that kids should remain in these seats until they reach the maximum height and weight that is recommended by the manufacturer.

According to the AAP, using the correct car seat for the recommended amount of time can reduce a child’s risk of injury or death by more than 70 percent.

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Advocate for Children Injured in Car Accidents

If your child was injured in a car accident, do not hesitate to contact the Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. We understand how devastating it is to see your child hurt. We will pursue every avenue necessary to determine who is responsible for your child’s injuries. Our skilled and dedicated team will seek the maximum financial compensation and ensure that your legal rights are always protected. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims all through Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.