Southeast Missouri Hospital

Each year, car crashes injure and kill more kids than any disease. 

If used properly, child safety seats and safety belts do protect children in a crash and help save lives.

Unfortunately, four out of five car seats are incorrectly installed.  

To have your Child
Passenger Safety Seat
checked by our experts,
call 573-332-1587
for an appointment.

• Infant-only seats are rear-facing seats designed for infants from birth to at least age 1 and at least 20 pounds. The rear-facing position protects the infant's fragile neck and chest.

• Convertible seats are designed for children up to 40 pounds. They are installed rear-facing for infants and forward-facing for children between ages 1 and 4 and between 20 and 40 pounds.

• Most collisions happen close to home. So no matter how short the ride, make sure everyone in the car is buckled up, including you!

• Never put infant in the front passenger seat of a vehicle with a passenger side air bag. The back of a rear facing infant or convertible seat rests too close to the air bag compartment. 

• When your child weighs 40-80 pounds (usually between ages 4 and 8) use a belt-positioning car booster seat.

• When your child is big enough to wear a lap shoulder belt only, make sure the shoulder strap fits snugly low across the child's shoulder and not across the neck or back. NEVER put a shoulder belt under the child's arms or behind the child's back.

So why isn't YOUR child buckled up?

Excuse: "My child is safest in my arms."

Fact: Your child will not be protected in your arms or lap. 

Excuse: "Safety belts will trap us if the car catches on fire or falls into the water."

Fact: Only a small number of crashes involve fire or falling into water. Even so, safety belts keep passengers safe and alert enough to escape.

Excuse: "I can grab my child in a crash."

Fact: Probably not. Crashes happen suddenly, allowing less than one-half second to react. Few adults can react that fast.

Excuse: "We might be saved if we're thrown clear of the car in a crash."

Fact: Your chances of being killed are 25 times greater if you are thrown from the car. You're more likely to go through an open door or the glass.