Car safety tips for kids

Child passenger safety is very important, but also pretty easy to mess up accidentally. In this video, pediatrician Tanya Remer Altmann, MD, offers helpful safety tips, as well as guidelines on what car seats to use at certain ages and weights.

Transcript

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Hi, I'm Dr. Altmann. When Prince William strapped his newborn son into his car seat and drove away from the hospital,

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it made the news around the world. Why? Because he made it look so easy. As many parents know, car seats save lives,

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but they can be tricky to use. Car seat designs vary widely, and according to one study, 72% of child restraint systems were

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misused in a way that could increase a child's risk of injury in a crash. Try these tips to keep your child safe.

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Choose a car seat or booster seat that's the right model for her age and size. Make sure it's properly installed.

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Not sure if you've got it right? Your local police or fire station may offer free child car seat inspections.

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And take a cue from Prince William. Practice using the car seat before you need to strap in a squirmy baby or toddler.

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Keep babies and toddlers in rear-facing seats for as long as possible until two years of age or they reach the highest weight and height

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limit on their car seat. It's the safest way to ride. Then keep your child in a forward-facing seat

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with a five-point harness until she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seats manufacturer.

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Often, this is around seven or eight years of age. Finally, as your child gets older, don't graduate her out of the booster seat too quickly.

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Smaller kids, as old as 12, may still need a booster until they're big enough for a car seat belt to fit properly.

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I'm Dr. Altmann. For more ways to protect your kid's health, check out all our smart tips right here. [AUDIO LOGO]