Child Passenger Safety Week

I think that as parents, we can all agree that our children's safety is a top priority, and we will do as much as we can to keep them safe. One of the ways we keep them safe everyday, is to make sure that when they are a passenger in a vehicle, they are using the proper restraint. 

That might mean that they are rear facing, or they are in a high back booster seat until they have met the height and weight requirements to not need one.  Another way we can ensure children are as safe as possible in a vehicle, is to keep them in the back seat until they are 13 years old.  Even if you have a large 10 year old, they are still safest in the back seat. It has nothing to do with size, but with their bone development.

Mr. J was rear facing until 15 months, but when I had Mr. K the recommendation was 2 years. Even though he screamed through almost every car ride, I kept him rear facing knowing that he was safest that way (I won't lie though, I was absolutely thrilled when I turned him forward and the screaming stopped).

Something that not all parents know, is that car seats and booster seats should be replaced, even if your vehicle is involved in a low speed crash and the seats don't look damaged. With this week being Child Passenger Safety Week, Carstar and Evenflo want you to be aware of the need to replace the seats, read below for more information.

REPLACE YOUR CHILD SAFETY SEAT AFTER A CRASH TO ENSURE CHILDREN ARE PROTECTED ON THE ROAD

Even Low Speed Crashes Can Cause Car Seat Damage, Reduce Protection and Performance in Future Crashes

"HAMILTON, ON (September 21, 2018)– Child car seats are designed to protect children during a crash, but do you know how to ensure that car seat is safe AFTER the crash?

While most drivers immediately plan to repair or replace the vehicle after the crash, they don’t always consider that the forces that damaged their car also could have damaged their child’s car seat or booster seat.

According to Transport Canada,parents should dispose of their child seat or booster seat if the child car seat was in a vehicle during a crash. Even if the child car seat was empty or was not directly hit, it may have been damaged.

CARSTAR and Evenflo have teamed up for Child Passenger Safety Week to educate parents and caregiversabout car seat replacement after a crash.

“As a mother of twin boys, you always want to make sure your children are protected in the car,” said Shannon Spake, Fox Sports host who covers football, basketball and motorsports. “When your car is involved in a crash, it’s just as important that you take care of your car seat or booster seat as it is to address the car damage. CARSTAR and Evenflo want to make sure parents everywhere are aware of the potential need to replace their car seat or booster seat after a crash.”

“CARSTAR is committed to repairing accident damage and getting families back on the road in a safe vehicle, and the child safety seat is a major part of that vehicle’s safety system,” said Dean Fisher, Chief Operating Officer for CARSTAR. “Any time you’re replacing sheet metal, bumpers, air bags and other safety systems, you’ve been in an accident hard enough to damage the car seat. It’s a cost that many insurance policies cover, so it’s always smart to replace the car seat and ensure your child is safe and protected on the road.”

Evenflo recommends that consumers contact their car seat manufacturer if they have questions about car seat replacement after a crash.

“Crash damage to a car seat or booster seat may not always be visible,” said Evenflo Safety Advocate Sarah Haverstick. “Damage can occur even if the child restraint is unoccupied during the crash. If a consumer has a question about whether their car seat should be replaced, it is important to contact their car seat manufacturer directly for guidance.”

Evenflo offers additional child passenger safety tips:
Make sure your child’s age, weight and height are within the requirements for any car seat you are considering for purchase
Check the Transport Canada guidance to help determine what type of car seat is appropriate for child’s size and development level
For help with car seat installation and use, contact your car seat manufacturer or find a certified child passenger safety technician near you

For more tips on driving and collision repair, visit www.carstar.com. CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts offers high-quality, reliable repair service in 35 states and 10 Canadian provinces. Just call 1-800-CARSTAR when you need a vehicle repair, and they will send a tow truck, contact your insurance company, arrange for a rental car and repair your car. For information and store locations, visit here."