One of the things that I hear most often is, "Why do kids need carseats? After all...our parents didn't have them when we were little and we all survived."
Although this may be true to a point, this statement is quite misleading. After all...there are other things that the previous generation thought were safe that turned out to be very dangerous after all, too (lead paint, asbestos, etc.)
The roads today are filled with more vehicles, the vehicles are bigger (SUV's, vans, etc.) and they are driving at faster speeds than compared to when we were kids. Motor vehicle accidents are one of the single greatest killers of Americans today and the number one cause of accidental death for children.
How do carseats help?
First, a little physics lesson. Newton's Law of Motion states that: An object in motion continues in motion at the original speed
until it connects with an outside force.
That outside force can be something harmful (a steering wheel, windshield, the pavement)
or it can be something designed to protect (a seatbelt or a child restraint.)
Carseats work because they help to spread those (crash) forces over a wide area of the child's body, and help the child to 'ride down' the crash. Carseats also help keep the child in the vehicle/prevent them from being ejected! Some people feel that carseats are unnecessary,
because they do not realize that the forces generated by a crash are SO tremendously large.
Do you know how much your child weighs?
The mathematical equation for figuring out the forces produced in a crash is as following Weight x Speed = Force Therefore, a 20 lb baby in a car going 25 mph requires 500 lbs of restraining force!
This is also why it is so important that everyone in the car buckles up!
Because an unrestrained 120 lb adult in that same crash is going to become the a 2500 lb projectile!
Sometimes, well-meaning Christian parents decide not to use a carseat, (or they use one improperly,) because they think,
"God is in control. He wouldn't allow anything to happen to my child that wasn't in His plan,"
and, they are correct.....
But, God also gives us the knowledge, wisdom and the resources to help us protect our families.
Ultimately our children's lives are in His hands - but as the old saying goes,
"God helps those that help themselves,"
and I truly believe that carseats are a lifesaving tool that we can use
to help protect our most precious blessings...our children!
Q's & A's
Q: Daisy asks: What is the "official" weight, height and age of a child who no longer needs a carseat? A: There is no 'official' answer to this question, as there are many variables to consider
1. Every state has it's own legal requirements regarding how long children need to be in a child restraint. Check here to see what your state's requirements are.
2. Is your child at least 4'9" (That is the height that safety experts have determined is the bare minimum for riding in an adult seatbelt.)
3. But, the most important determination is... Does your child pass the 5 Step Test?
The 5-Step Test.
1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat? 2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat
and do their feet touch the floor? 3. Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm? 4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs? 5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
