Child Seat Safety Update
New Weight Requirements for Rear Facing Seats
January 1, 2019 Marks Additional Specification for Child Safety Seats
Prior to Jan 1, 2019, child safety seat laws in Illinois required that children under the age of 2 ride in a rear facing seat until at the upper height or weight limit of the seat, but new laws have expanded upon this. This year, children under 2 years who are at 40 lbs. or under, and at the height of 40 inches or less, must sit rear facing.
The team of West Frankfort personal injury lawyers at Sam C. Mitchell & Associates provide more information below as to the new restrictions.
As noted in our previous blog, proper fitting and properly used safety seats reduce the risk of death by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers up to age 4. Although parents often want to “graduate” their child into the next seat, babies under age 2 are just not safe in forward facing seats. The additional weight and height specifications amended this year are due to further information regarding the safety of children’s head, neck and back in accidents. Rear facing seats provide added protection to these critical areas of your child’s body so that in the event of an accident or sudden stop, they are not jerked forward in their seats resulting in head, neck, or spinal cord injuries. The increased weight and height undoubtedly add muscle and body mass, which provides added support to the head and neck, protecting the spinal cord.
Sam C. Mitchell & Associates Care About Your Family
If you are a new parent or are going to be moving your child into a new level of car seat soon, it pays to review our original blog regarding the legalities and requirements for child safety seats for more information. The West Frankfort personal injury attorneys at Sam C. Mitchell & Associates want your your family to be as safe as possible as you transition your children from infant seat to booster to regular car seat. We understand that sometimes accidents are unavoidable, so we provide as much preventive information as possible. If you or your family members are injured in an auto accident, contact our team to discuss the details of your case. We can help get you on the road to recovery.
Contact our team today at 618-932-2772.