Every time a child gets into a vehicle, their safety depends on more than simply buckling a seat belt. Children are smaller, their bodies are still developing, and they require protection that is appropriate for their age, size, developmental stage and individual needs. Choosing the right child restraint is important, but so is making sure it is installed correctly and used properly every time the vehicle is moving.
At the Crash Support Network, we regularly speak with crash survivors and families who are recovering from the physical and emotional impact of a motor vehicle crash. For parents and caregivers, one of the most difficult parts of that recovery can be wondering whether their child was properly protected. After a crash, families may have questions about the child’s injuries, the vehicle, the child restrain and what should happen next. These questions can be overwhelming, particularly when parents are already trying to manage medical appointments, insurance matters, emotional stress and their child’s recovery. Understanding child restraints before a crash can help families feel more prepared. Knowing what to do with the restraint after a crash can also help protect important information if an insurance or legal claim follows.
Choosing the Right Restraint
Child restraints generally include:
- Rear-facing car seats for infants and young children
- Convertible seats that can transition from rear-facing to forward-facing
- Forward-facing seats with harnesses
- Booster seats that help position the vehicle seat belt correctly
- Vehicle seat belts when a child is large enough for the seat belt to fit properly
The transition from one stage to another should not be based solely on a child’s age. Children grow at different rates, and the appropriate restraint depends on the specific seat, the child’s height and weight, developmental needs and the manufacturer’s instructions. Always follow the requirements and limits provided by the manufacturer of the restraint. A child should remain in each stage for as long as appropriate according to the manufacturer’s instructions and applicable safety guidance. When a child is ready to use the vehicle’s seat belt without a booster, the belt should fit properly. The lap belt should sit low across the upper thighs rather than across the stomach, while the shoulder belt should cross the chest and shoulder. If the seat belt does not fit properly, a booster or other appropriate restraint may still be necessary.
Installation Matters
Choosing the right child restraint is only part of protecting a child. Even an appropriate restraint cannot provide its intended protection if it is not installed or used correctly. Read both the child restraint manufacturer’s manual and your vehicle owner’s manual. These instructions can provide important information about approved seating positions, installation methods, lower anchors, seat belts, tether requirements and other vehicle-specific considerations. Once installed, the restraint should be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions every time the child travels.
Be Careful With Bulky Clothing
During colder months, it can be tempting to place a child in a thick winter coat before securing the harness. However, bulky clothing can interfere with achieving an appropriate harness fit. Parents and caregivers should follow the restraint manufacturer’s guidance regarding clothing and harness use. Keeping blankets over a properly secured child, when appropriate and safe, may be preferable to placing bulky clothing underneath the harness.
Don’t Forget the Rest of the Vehicle
Child passenger safety doesn’t stop with the car seat. Loose objects inside a vehicle can become dangerous projectiles during a motor vehicle crash. Toys, water bottles, electronics, bags, sports equipment, tools and luggage can move with significant force during a collision. Take a few moments before travelling to secure objects that could move around the vehicle. This is particularly important when travelling with children because their belongings can quickly accumulate throughout the vehicle.
Check the Restraint Regularly
Child restraints are not necessarily a one-time purchase and forget item. As children grow, parents should regularly check whether the restraint is still appropriate and whether the harness or seat belt is being used correctly. If you are unsure whether a restraint is still appropriate for your child, seek assistance from a qualified child passenger safety technician or an appropriate local child passenger safety program. It is also important to check the manufacturer’s information regarding:
- Expiry dates
- Weight and height limits
- Installation requirements
- Cleaning instructions
- Replacement components
- Recalls
- Post-crash use
After a Motor Vehicle Crash: Keep the Child Restraint
This is an especially important consideration for families following a motor vehicle crash. If your child was in a car seat, booster seat or other child restraint during a crash, do not immediately throw it away, give it away or replace it without first considering whether it may need to be preserved. A child restraint may become relevant to an investigation, insurance claim or legal process. Even when there is no obvious visible damage, information about the restraint, its condition and how it was being used at the time of the crash may be important. For that reason, families should consider preserving the restraint in the condition it was in following the crash until they have received appropriate advice.
If possible:
- Keep the restraint in a safe place.
- Do not clean, repair, alter or modify it.
- Keep the harness and all components together.
- Take photographs of the restraint and its condition.
- Photograph any visible damage without altering the restraint.
- Keep the manufacturer’s information, model number and serial number.
- Keep the original manuals and documentation if available.
- Document whether your child was using the restraint at the time of the crash.
- Make note of where the restraint was positioned in the vehicle.
- Preserve any information about the vehicle and the circumstances of the crash.
- Speak with your lawyer or insurance representative before disposing of the restraint.
Don’t Assume It Is Safe Because It Looks Fine
One of the most important things for parents to understand is that a child restraint may not show obvious damage following a crash. That does not necessarily mean it should simply be put back into service. Follow the manufacturer’s post-crash instructions and obtain appropriate advice about whether the restraint should be replaced. At the same time, do not discard the restraint before considering whether it should be preserved for an insurance investigation or legal claim. If you have already removed the restraint from the vehicle, keep all of its components together and store it somewhere safe.
Document What Happened
The days and weeks following a motor vehicle crash can be chaotic. Parents may be focused on getting their child medical care and helping them feel safe again. Details can become difficult to remember later. If you are able, write down what you remember about the child’s position in the vehicle, the restraint being used, how the child was secured and what happened immediately following the crash. Photographs can also be helpful in documenting the condition of the restraint and vehicle. Your priority should always be the safety and medical needs of your child and family.
Helping Children Recover After a Crash
The physical protection provided by a child restraint is only one part of keeping children safe. After a motor vehicle crash, children may experience fear, confusion, anxiety or changes in their behaviour. Some children may become nervous about getting back into a vehicle. Others may have questions about what happened or worry that another crash will occur. Parents and caregivers can experience many of these emotions too.
Getting back into a vehicle may feel completely different after a crash. A routine trip to school, the grocery store or an appointment can suddenly bring back memories of what happened. You may find yourself checking the car seat repeatedly. You may feel anxious every time your child gets into the vehicle. You may watch traffic more closely or worry about every vehicle approaching an intersection. These reactions can be part of the recovery journey. Give yourself and your child time. Listen to their concerns without dismissing them. Let them ask questions. Reassure them that it is okay to talk about how they are feeling. At the Crash Support Network, we believe recovery includes more than physical healing. It also includes rebuilding confidence, addressing emotional challenges, understanding what happened and helping survivors and their families move forward.
If Your Family Has Been Through a Crash
For families affected by a motor vehicle crash, recovery is about more than repairing a vehicle or treating physical injuries. Children may carry their own fears, questions and memories from what happened, while parents may carry the worry, guilt and uncertainty of wondering whether they did everything they could to protect their child. Be patient with yourself and with your children as you navigate the road ahead. Ask questions, seek support when you need it, and remember that you don’t have to have all the answers at once.
Don’t rush to throw away the car seat. Don’t assume that no visible damage means everything is fine. And don’t feel that you have to navigate the recovery journey alone. At the Crash Support Network, we believe every survivor and every family deserves compassion, understanding and support throughout the recovery journey. Take it one trip, one conversation and one day at a time.
