New Standards for Child Seat Safety from the American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Academy of Pediatrics has released new standards for car seat safety. The organization, comprised of more than 60,000 pediatricians, says that children should remain in rear-facing car seats until age two, and children under the age of 12 should stay out of the front seat. Rear-facing car seats should NEVER be in the front seat, especially if there is an airbag.
What is at Stake
Ignoring these recommendations and state laws on child seat safety can lead to serious injuries and fatalities. There are some exceptions: if your child is under two but has already outgrown their rear-facing seat, it’s all right to rotate them. The main goal is to fully support the child’s head, neck and spine in the event of a crash. Rear-facing seats help distribute the force of the collision, according to Dr. Dennis Durbin who is the lead author of the revised policy statement released by the AAP.
And, according to the Family Health Administration for the state of Maryland, even though tech advances are helping make airbags and cars safer, consumers should still do their homework before purchasing a car or car seat. If you’re in the state of Maryland, the FHA has all Maryland regulations on child passenger safety listed on their website.
Child Restraint Laws by State
Outside the state of Maryland? Check out more information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety listing child restraint laws by state.
If you or your child have been involved in an auto accident, call or email us for a free, no-obligation consultation about your personal injury case. We can help you find a doctor or pediatrician who will help you recover from the car wreck and work to receive compensation for your injuries from the responsible parties.