Most parents think their kids are in the right car seats and that the seats are installed the right way but the reality is that nearly half of car seats are installed incorrectly, leaving kids vulnerable to injury in a crash. Sadly, two children under 13 years old were killed every day in 2020 while riding in vehicles, and another 278 were injured. Don’t wait for a crash to happen to find out if your child’s seat is installed correctly. Let an expert check for you so you can have that peace of mind.
Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children, and the latest research from NHTSA shows that 46% of car seats are misused. Using age- and size-appropriate car seats and installing them correctly are the best ways to reduce crash fatalities among children.
In 2020, the 8- to 12-year-old age group had the highest number of fatalities (216) among children in passenger vehicles. Booster seats are a critical step between harness car seats and adult seat belts. If the seat belt doesn’t fit your child correctly, it won’t offer them optimal protection in a crash.
Myths and Mistakes About Car Seats
There is a deadly misconception that a certain type of vehicle may offer greater protection for your child. In 2020, 53% of the children killed while riding in light trucks were unrestrained, followed closely by SUVs (46%), passenger cars (34%), and vans (34%). Children are safest when correctly secured in the right car seats or booster seats for their ages and sizes — no matter the vehicle type.
One of the most common mistakes parents and caregivers make with car seats is moving their children to the next seat or position too soon.
- Keep children rear-facing as long as possible, up to the top height and weight allowed by their particular seats. The recommendations are based on decades of research that have shown the safest way for children to ride in vehicles.
- Once a child outgrows a rear-facing car seat, they are ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether. The tether is 100% essential for installing a forward-facing car seat; it keeps the seat from moving forward in a crash.
- After outgrowing the forward-facing car seat, a child should be buckled in a booster seat until tall enough to fit in an adult seat belt properly. Children might ask to ditch the booster seat because it makes them feel older to ride without it, but the truth is: their safety is what matters most.
- Once your child is ready to use a seat belt, ensure that it fits correctly, and remember that the safest place for all kids under 13 is buckled up in the back seat.
15 Places to Get a Car Seat Safety Check in Springfield and Beyond
Call ahead to schedule an appointment with a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) at one of these locations in Greene, Christian, and Webster Counties.
1. CoxHealth Trauma Services
3801 S National Ave, Springfield, MO 65807
(417) 269-0920
2. CoxHealth North Hospital
1423 N Jefferson Ave, Springfield, MO 65802
(417) 655-0068
3. Greene County Children’s Division
149 Park Central Square, Springfield, MO 65806
(417) 895-7836
4. Missouri State Highway Patrol - Troop D
3131 E Kearney St, Springfield, MO 65803
(417) 895-6868
5. Mercy SafeKids Springfield
1965 S Fremont Ave Suite 240, Springfield, MO 65804
(417) 820-7233
6. Republic Fire Department
701 US-60, Republic, MO 65738
(417) 732-3800
7. Republic Police Department
540 Civic Blvd, Republic, MO 65738
(417) 732-3900
8. Willard Fire Protection District
240 N State Hwy Z, Willard, MO 65781
(417) 685-3114
9. Christian County Ambulance District Nixa Station
301 N Main St, Nixa, MO 65714
(417) 581-3700
10. Christian County Ambulance District Spokane Station
11542 State Highway 160 Spokane, Missouri 65754
(417) 581-3700
11. Christian County Ambulance District Ozark Station
6092 North 25th Street Ozark, Missouri 65721
(417) 581-3700
12. Christian County Ambulance District Sparta Station
341 North Avenue Sparta, Missouri 65753
(417) 581-3700
13. Clever Police Department
210 S, Clarke Ave, Clever, MO 65631
(417) 743-5109
14. Logan Rogersville Fire Protection
1675 N. Missouri Blvd, Rogersville, MO 65742
(417) 753-4265
15. Webster County Health Unit
233 E Washington St, Marshfield, MO 65706
(417) 859-2532
Missouri Child Restraint Laws
(RSMo 307.179)
- Children less than 4 years old or less than 40 pounds must be in an appropriate child safety seat.
- Children ages 4 through 7 who weigh at least 40 pounds must be in an appropriate child safety seat or booster seat unless they are 80 pounds or 4'9" tall.
- Children 8 and over or weighing at least 80 pounds or at least 4’9” tall are required to be secured by a safety belt or buckled into an appropriate booster seat.
Additional Resources
NHTSA encourages everyone who drives child passengers to check out its list of online resources:
- Car Seat Types: Determine whether your child fits best in a rear-facing car seat, forward-facing car seat, booster seat, or seat belt.
- Car Seat Recommendations: Review NHTSA’s recommendations for the best car seat for your child’s age and size.
- Find and Compare: Find and compare car seats with NHTSA’s handy car seat finder, which also searches specific brands.
For more information on child car seat safety, as well as how to find car seat check events, visit www.nhtsa.gov/therightseat.
Take a FREE online child passenger safety course to help keep kids safe!
Want to become a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST)? Learn more HERE.
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