NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Do you know what to do if you're in a car crash? You want to check for injuries and damage to your vehicle. But there's something else to be aware of after a crash.
You want to check your child’s car seat...and perhaps even replace it.
Consumer Reports’ car seat safety expert Emily Thomas was recently rear-ended on the highway. Thankfully, she’s okay, and her kids weren’t in the car. But their car seats were. That raised a big question for any parent: Do you need to replace a car seat after a crash?
“If you’ve been in a crash, you may not always need to replace your car seat, particularly if it’s a minor crash," said Emily A. Thomas, PhD, Associate Director, Auto Safety, Consumer Reports. But if it’s a moderate to severe crash, then you should definitely replace your car seats.”
So what’s considered a minor crash? Here’s a checklist from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If any of these criteria are NOT met, it’s time to get a new car seat.
“In my case, the car seats looked fine – there was no visible damage," said Thomas. "There were also no injuries sustained in the crash. The impact was at the rear of the vehicle, so the doors closest to the car seats were not damaged. However, both vehicles were towed and there was airbag deployment, so this counts as a moderate-to-severe crash, and the seats must be replaced.”
Some child car seat manufacturers say you should replace their car seats after any crash. You should follow the instructions of your car seat manufacturer.
“If the seats need to be replaced, talk to your insurance company, they might be able to cover the cost," said Thomas. "I’ll also need to properly dispose of the old car seats so no one else uses them. Remove all the covers, cut the harness straps, and mark the shell with “Do Not Use.”
Even when your kids aren’t in the car, make sure their car seats are properly secured so they don’t become projectiles in a car crash. If you have a booster seat, buckle it in. When riding with your kids, make sure your child is properly harnessed - snug and at the correct height.
You also should avoid buying a used car seat if possible because you have no way of knowing or verifying whether it's been in a crash.
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at jennifer.kraus@newschannel5.com.
It's migratory season for billions of animals across the United States. That means millions of birds and butterflies will take a rest stop in Tennessee and Kentucky as they move south for winter. Tennessee state parks are working to create vital habitat for the migrating monarchs. You may be able to follow their lead around your home to help reverse a declining monarch population.
- Lelan Statom
