As a parent, one of the most important jobs you have is keeping your child safe. Keeping them in an appropriate car seat can help to protect them if you’re involved in a car accident. But how do you know what sort of car seat your child should be in at different ages?
Florida has some specific laws governing what ages children need to be in car and booster seats. Read on to discover what kind of seat your child needs to be in at every age and how to pick an appropriate seat for them.
Ages 0-3
When your child is under the age of 3, they need to be in a federally-approved child restraint device. You can use either a separate carrier that can be installed in your car or a built-in car seat, provided that it’s age-appropriate. It’s also a good idea to make sure your child’s car seat fits them properly as they grow.
When you get ready to install your child’s car seat, be sure to consult your owner’s manual for instructions on proper installation. You may also be able to go to your local police department if you need help installing your child’s car seat or checking that it fits them.
Ages 4-5
Once your child is over the age of 3, they can start riding in a booster seat if you like. Like their car seat, this seat needs to be crash-tested and federally approved. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a car seat finder tool that can help you select an appropriate seat for your child.
Once you have the seat installed, it’s important to start teaching your child to buckle up every time they’re in the car. Make sure the restraints on the seat are adjusted for your child, and always make sure your child is buckled in before you start driving. Not only will this help to keep them safe in the event of a crash, but it starts teaching important safety habits at an early age.
Ages 6-12
When your child turns six, they may be big enough to start riding in normal rear car seats. However, it’s best to keep your child in a booster seat until they reach a height of at least four feet, nine inches. This is the height at which adult car seats will typically fit them correctly.
Your child is still required to stay in the back seat until they’re twelve years old. Once they turn twelve, they can start riding up front. All passengers under the age of 18 are required to be buckled up at all times, whether or not they’re in the front seat.
Picking the Right Car Seat
In order for your child’s car seat to protect them properly in a crash, it’s important that it fits them. Most experts advise that your child stay in a rear-facing seat until they’re at least two and then a forward-facing convertible seat until they’re at least four. Make sure you always select a seat that fits your child based on their age, weight, and height.
You also need to make sure that your car seat’s restraints can be adjusted to fit your child as they grow. It’s a good idea to select a seat with a five-point harness and straps that are easy to adjust. You should also check that your seat will fit in your car, preferably before purchasing it.
Get Compensation for Your Child
Using an appropriate car seat for your child can help keep them safe in the event of a car crash. Make sure that your child stays in an appropriate car seat until the age of 4, a booster seat until the age of 5, and the back seat until the age of 12. But it’s also best to follow weight and height recommendations when transitioning your child to the next level of seat.
If your child has been hurt in a car accident, they could be entitled to compensation. Our Personal Injury Lawyers will fight for your child like they were our own and push for a full and fair settlement in their case. Schedule a free consultation with us today to start getting justice for your child.
Contact the Tampa Car Accident Law Firm of Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
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