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Car seat guidelines have been updated for the first time since 2002 and many parents are less than thrilled with the new strict guidelines. According to Keith McCord of the Deseret News, “Parents (are) confused, upset over new car seat guidelines.” Car insurance companies have a vested interest in these new guidelines because if they really do keep kids safer in crashes, that could lower the medical bills being paid out after car accidents. The guidelines are a joint effort between the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. They are based more on height and weight now and less on age.
It is now recommended that children’s car seats remain rear-facing until at least the age of 2, an increase from the age of 1. They pair this age 2 guideline with a weight of 35 pounds. Many parents argue that their smaller children did not weigh that much until well over age 3 and say that their legs were way too long to be in a rear-facing car seat. Insurers like Infinity auto insurance could then have to worry about broken legs in an accident, according to some parents. But a manager at the Primary Children’s Medical Center says that there is no record of a child breaking their legs because they were rear-facing. She also points out that a study in 2007 showed that children are five times safer when they are rear-facing than when they are forward-facing.
The other guideline ruffling some feathers is the recommendation that children remain in booster seats until they are at least 80 pounds, 4 foot 9 inches, and between 8 and 12 years old. It is said that that is when they will best fit into regular seatbelts. While many parents are up in arms about these new guidelines, they are meant with their children’s safety in mind and they are not law. Each child grows differently and could be lighter or heavier than others their size. It is best to go to an inspection station if you have any question about the safety of your children.
Occasionally we write guest posts for other blogs who are looking for a little expert travel insurance advice. In this post for independent baby product retailers Justanotherbaby.co.uk we explained how to pick up a great travel insurance deal for the family that doesn’t cost the earth.