Most car seats are being used incorrectly — is your child safe?

In Delaware, 80% of car seats are being used incorrectly. That’s according to Child Passenger Safety Coordinator Aubrey Klick, who sees a variety of misuses while performing car seat checks for Delaware residents.  

While Klick, who works for the Delaware Office of Highway Safety, spreads the word about car seat safety year-round, Child Passenger Safety Week runs from Sept. 20-26, with National Seat Check Saturday on Sept. 26.   

“The kids can’t do it for themselves; they depend on their adults in their life to keep them safe in the car,” Klick said.  

Kristie Hull, trauma program manager for TidalHealth Nanticoke in Seaford, is one of four Child Passenger Safety Technicians at the hospital. She and one of her colleagues recently completed the Safe Travel for All Children course.  

Soon after she took the Child Passenger Safety Technician course, the TidalHealth Nanticoke team treated a child who died after being unrestrained during a car crash.  

“That has been a huge push for us to get out into our community,” Hull said.  

She’s found in talking with community members that it’s not that they are intentionally doing anything incorrectly — they just don’t have the knowledge about car seat safety.  

Free car seat checks are offered at TidalHealth Nanticoke as well as other locations in the state of Delaware. Residents of other states can have their car seats checked, too.  

“One of the biggest things I always tell people is, ‘Don’t be afraid to call us and ask for help,’” Klick said, noting that there is no judgment.  

In comparing a real Doona car seat with a counterfeit one, Klick pointed out that the real one has extensive safety labels on the side cushions, a chest clip and the Doona logo on the side. The counterfeit one doesn’t have any of those things.  

Klick said caregivers need to consider the child’s age, height, weight and developmental level. The car seat also needs to fit their vehicle, and they need to use it correctly, she said.  

Hull mentioned another consideration is whether to purchase an infant seat, and need to spend more on another seat later, or spend more money at once for one that will grow with the child. As long as it’s not a counterfeit seat, the more affordable seats still pass the same safety standards as the expensive ones, Klick said.  

Infants start out in rear-facing seats. Klick said children can start facing forward when they are at least age 2 and 30 pounds. Don’t rush through the steps, she advises.  

Delaware law requires children to sit in a booster seat until they reach the upper height or weight limit listed by the manufacturer.  

Children can sit in the front seat when they are either age 12 or reach 5 feet, 5 inches tall, Klick said, though it’s best for children to sit in the back until they are at least 13 in case the airbag deploys in a crash.  

“Every child deserves to ride safe,” Klick said.  

To set up a car seat check at TidalHealth Nanticoke, reach out to Hull at 302-629-6611, ext. 2639, or email [email protected]. To reach Klick, call or text 302-387-2324 or email [email protected]. You can also send a photo of your car seat if you’re unsure whether you have a counterfeit seat.