This summer, the Accident Recovery Team is promoting family safety with our Summer of Safety Giveaway! Each week, we’ll be giving away $500 to a lucky winner to encourage safe travel, outdoor fun, and protection for your loved ones. Enter now and take the first step toward a safer season.
As part of this initiative, we’re revisiting one of the most important topics for parents and caregivers—car seat safety. Read below for crucial tips to keep your child safe in the car, and don’t forget to enter the giveaway for a chance to win something great for your family!
Choosing the Right Car Seat for Each Stage
Keeping your child safe on the road starts with using the right car seat—and using it correctly every time. Car seats and booster seats are designed to protect children in the event of an accident, and they need to be tailored to your child’s age, weight, height, and your vehicle. Children grow quickly, and the type of car seat they need will change over time. Not all seats fit all vehicles, so be sure to test a seat before purchasing if possible.
Rear-Facing Car Seats (Birth to Age 3)
Rear-facing seats provide essential protection for infants and toddlers. Infant car seats are small and portable, designed for rear-facing use only. Once a child outgrows this seat—often before their first birthday—they should transition to a convertible or all-in-one seat. Both of these allow continued rear-facing use. Pediatricians recommend keeping children rear-facing as long as the seat allows since it’s the safest position in a crash.
Forward-Facing Car Seats (Ages 1 to 7)
Once children outgrow rear-facing seats, they can transition to a forward-facing seat with a harness. Convertible, all-in-one, and combination car seats all offer forward-facing options. A combination seat will later convert to a booster but cannot be used rear-facing.
Booster Seats (Ages 4 to 12)
Booster seats lift children so seat belts fit them properly—over the chest and low across the hips. Boosters come in high-back and backless varieties. High-back boosters are best for vehicles without headrests, while backless boosters work well in cars with built-in headrests.
Correct Installation Is Critical
Even the best car seat won’t protect your child if it’s not installed correctly. Always read your car seat manual and follow it closely. The seat should not move more than an inch at the belt path. For forward-facing seats, connect and tighten the tether strap. Rear-facing seats must be installed at the correct recline angle—check the angle indicators or adjusters. Many communities offer free car seat inspections. In Wichita, the Fire Department offers appointments on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 731 N. Main.
Strap Them in Safely Every Time
Even with the right seat, kids must be buckled in properly. Make sure the harness straps are flat and not twisted. For rear-facing seats, place the harness through the slot at or below the shoulders. For forward-facing, it should go through the slot at or above. The harness should be tight—no extra slack at the shoulder—and the chest clip should be at armpit level.
After an Accident, We’re Here to Help
If your vehicle is involved in a crash, your child’s car seat should be replaced—even if there’s no visible damage. After ensuring your child’s safety, contact the Accident Recovery Team for a free consultation. We only get paid when we win or settle your case. We’re here to help you recover, protect your family, and get the peace of mind you deserve.
