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Don’t compromise your child’s safety in a car crash! Nine car-safety mistakes Cleveland parents make that could cost their child’s life in an accident.

Every year 90,000 children under the age of 8 are injured in car wrecks and over 1,000 are killed. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for American children. Unfortunately, manyt parents unintentionally risk their children’s lives by not following safety rules. We’ve listed the nine biggest mistakes Ohio parents make that could compromise their child’s safety.

1. Not using a car seat consistently
In Ohio, all children under the age of 8 are required to be buckled up in an appropriate car seat or booster seat. Safety seats dramatically reduce a child’s chances of being seriously injured or killed in a car accident. Often parents think, “It is only a short trip and it isn’t worth the hassle.” But, 52 percent of accidents occur less than five miles from home. If your child knows that using the car seat is expected, he’ll eventually cooperate.

2. Using an expired or secondhand car seat
Secondhand seats may not be up to current safety standards. In addition, the plastic on car seats becomes brittle after about 5 years and is no longer safe. The seat can shatter in an accident. If you must use a second hand car seat, check the expiration date (it should be the bottom of the seat) and download the installation instructions from the manufacturer’s website.

3. Turning your child forward-facing too soon
Young children have large heads and weaker necks. In a head-on collision, a forward-facing child’s head can jerk suddenly and violently causing severe spinal injury. For this reason, keep your child rear-facing until he reaches the height and weight limits for that position.

Twelve months and twenty pounds is the minimum legal requirement for forward facing, but the longer your child faces the back of the car, the better.

4. Moving your child out of a car seat or booster seat too soon
Children in Ohio must ride in a booster seat until age 5. Children over 40 pounds are safest in a booster seat until they are 4 feet 9 inches tall and at least 8 years old.

5. Not installing the car seat correctly
A car seat can only do its job if it is installed correctly. Make sure the seat is securely buckled into the car. A properly installed seat should not move from side to side. If your car was manufactured before 1996, you will need to use a locking clip to keep the seatbelt tight. If your car was manufactured after 2002, you should have a LATCH system that will work with your car seat. You can get your car seat inspected for free by an Ohio child passenger safety technician. Find one in your town by clicking here.

6. Not securing your child in the seat
The car seat won’t work if your child is not properly buckled in. Make sure the straps are not twisted and then tighten the straps until you can’t pinch any harness fabric between your fingers. Slide the plastic clip to armpit level. If it is too low, your child could be ejected from his seat in a crash.

7. Holding your child on your lap
Children should always be in a car seat in a moving car. Even if your child is screaming, it is better to let him scream than risk his life.

8. Letting two kids share one seat belt
When two children ride together in a seat belt, their heads can knock together in an accident causing fatal injuries. Young children should always be in a car seat.

9. Letting a child ride in the front seat
The backseat is the safest place for all children under 13. Air bags can cause fatal injuries to children.

Chester Law Group represents victims of car crashes in Cleveland and throughout Ohio. If you or your child has been injured in a car crash, request our free book, The Insiders Guide to Handling Ohio Accident Claims. If you need help getting a fair settlement for your injuries and losses, contact our office at 1-800-218-2616 to set a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer.

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