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"Car crashes are the number one killer of children 1 to 12 years old in the United States.  The best way to protect them in the car is to put them in the right seat, at the right time, and use it the right way," says Parents Central (SaferCar.gov)

Choosing the right car seat for a child can be daunting. There are so many from which to choose, not only new car seats, but also used car seats.  Whether you are choosing a car seat for a baby, a young child, or an older child, there are important issues which need to be considered.  Parents Central, which is sponsored by the government, is a good resource to find the information needed to make the "right" decision.

Car Seats and Booster Basics - The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) recommends the following:

• Select a car seat based on a child's size and weight; choose a seat that fits the vehicle, and use it every time.
• Always refer to the specific car seat manufacturer's instructions; read the vehicle owner's manual on how to install the car seat using the seat belt or LATCH (lower anchors and tethers) system, and check height and weight limits.
• As long as the child fits within the manufacturer's height and weight requirements, keep your child in the car seat for as long as possible to maximize safety.
• Keep your child in the back seat at least through age 12.

Installation Tips: Parents Central says that 3 out of 4 car seats are not installed properly. For information on installing car seats they offer written and video instructions on:

• Installing the car seat using seatbelts
• Installing the car seat using the LATCH system
• Installing booster seats
• Tether overview

Securing Your Child:  Once the car or booster seat is installed, properly securing your child in the seat is very important.  Parents Central provides information on:

• Rear-facing
• Seats used forward-facing with a harness
• Booster seats

Before purchasing or using any car seat or booster seat, it is important to check recalls. The NHTSA website Child Seat Recalls provides recalls for the last ten years.

Registering new car and booster seats when purchased is important to keeping informed of recalls. All manufacturers are required to notify purchasers of recalls by first class mail.  In order to do this, manufacturers require that the car or booster seat be registered. To register you will need to provide the following information:

• Your Name
• Your current mailing address
• Manufacturer's Name (Example: Graco, Britax, Evenflo, Combi, etc.)
• Date of Manufacture (Example: Label says "Manufactured in" )
• Model Number (Example: 8643CDR2, 808688, 317147P1, etc.)
• Model Name (if known) (Example: Snugride, Centre EX, Embrace, etc.)

Naples Child Injuries Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. recommends, "Anyone transporting a child, or children, needs to be aware of the importance of car seats and boosters. Just having a car or booster seat isn't enough.  It must be the 'right car seat, at the right time; used in the right way'.  The car seat or booster which would be right for the child one year, will probably not be right the following year.  Constant monitoring of  children's growth and weight, and making sure they are secure, are important to keeping them safe in vehicles."

Florida Child Injuries Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just 1 percent of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at  239. 337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com  for more information. You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.