If you have children, car seats are essential. Age-appropriate safety seats can help protect your child in the event of a car accident in Homestead or your hometown. However, safety seats are useless unless they are used consistently and properly.
If you want to keep your smallest passengers safe, there are several things you will want to do to ensure your car seats offer maximum protection:
1) Buy new car seats.
Avoid buying used car seats, because they do expire. Eventually, car seats no longer meet current safety recommendations. In addition, previous seats may have been in a crash, causing damage which you can’t see but which could result in serious injuries to your child in the event of an accident. Any car seat that is missing parts, has been broken, or is worn will simply not provide the same level of protection as a new car seat, and it can be impossible to tell how safe a used car seat is by appearance. You don’t have to buy the most expensive car seats on the market, but a newer car seat, even a modestly priced one, will generally offer better protection than a used one.
2) Register your car seats.
Once you have your car seat, visit the manufacturer’s website and use the information found on the seat sticker or packaging to register the product. In some cases, you can also simply mail in a registration card which is sold with your car seat.
Registration is important because it ensures you will be notified if the car seat is ever recalled due to product defects. Product defect claims in Homestead and Florida involving car seats are often tragic because they generally involve serious injuries to children. Knowing when your car seat is recalled and being able to replace it quickly can help protect your child.
3) Install your car seats correctly.
Experts estimate that as many as three quarters of car seats are not installed or used properly. If you are even a little bit unsure about installing or using your car seat, working with a certified child passenger safety technician can ensure you offer the best protection for your child. Many communities also offer car seat checkups courtesy of manufacturers, police departments, or other organizations. Look for car seat inspection events in your area and attended to ensure you are installing your car seat correctly.
If your child has been injured by a damaged or defective car seat in Homestead or anywhere in South Florida, you may have a legal claim against the manufacturer. To find out more, contact Flaxman Law Group for a free accident consultation. Our team of attorneys in Homestead, Hollywood, and Miami are proud to serve the entire South Florida area and would be pleased to discuss your situation with you.