The price for taking kids out of child seats too soon or skipping booster seats is clear in the report out today from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm Insurance. Her three siblings, who were in child seats in the rear seat, survived with only minor injuries. Investigators say sitting in the front seat and wearing a poorly fitting belt put the child at risk.
Investigators say the child seats prevented more serious injuries.
Unfortunately, we had to find out the hard way. Booster seats, which position adult belts properly on children, are recommended for kids who weigh 40 to 80 pounds, about ages 4 to 8. When children wear adult safety belts too soon, they risk injuring internal organs because the belts can ride up and slice into their stomachs in a crash. If shoulder belts are put behind their backs, their torsos can jackknife forward, increasing the chance of head and abdominal injuries. Dennis Durbin, pediatric emergency doctor at Children's Hospital and a study investigator, says these injuries can lead to long-term brain damage and injury to the spleen, which fights infection.