The wrong child car seat seat can increase risks of injury
A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study made available today shows an increased risk if you move your child from child car seats seats to booster seats, or from booster seats to lap and shoulder belts too soon. The study is based on crash data collected from 1998 to 2008 in three states.
The study found that among 3-to-4-year-olds there’s evidence of increased risk of injury when children are restrained in booster seats rather than the recommended child restraint seats. This may be more pronounced in 3-year-olds. Among 4 to 8-year-olds there is strong evidence of increased risk of injury when children are restrained by lap and shoulder belts rather than booster seats.The study found a 14% increase in risk of any type of injury from placing children in the wrong seat for their age.