We all want our children to be protected and safe from harm at all times. We take whatever precautions are necessary to ensure that safety by childproofing our houses and trying to anticipate dangers. And when it comes to vehicle safety, we don't have a lot of control and we need to be extra cautious.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1 to 14. Therefore, selecting the appropriate restraint, properly harnessing the child, and the correct installation of the seat in the vehicle are vital to protecting a child during a crash. What works well for a tiny infant becomes inappropriate as the child grows. So it's very important for parents to do their homework and know the facts before their baby graduates from an infant seat to the next size.

Where to Start
"One of the most important things that parents often neglect is to fully read and understand the instructions for both the child safety seat and the vehicle," says Joe Colella, Child Passenger Safety Training Manager for the National SAFE KIDS Campaign. "There are a lot of adjustments that have to be made for securing your child, and there are also adjustments that have to be made for installing the seat. The best source of information is to read the directions."

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