It’s always a breath of fresh air when others come forward in the name of safety – especially child safety. Although all accidents are unfortunate, those against children are quite possibly the most heartbreaking. But the good news is that we can do a lot to prevent children’s injuries. When it comes to child safety, actress Ali Landry says that more can and should be done – starting with the starlet herself.

As a big proponent for child car seat safety, Landry spoke to CBS about the 3rd Annual Red CARpet Safety Awareness Event where she’ll be hosting the majority of events.

“This year, while our focus is still on car seat safety, we are also shedding light on other areas of safety and creating a ‘Safety Land’ of sorts,” she says.

Although car accidents are the cause for a large percentage of children’s injury and wrongful deaths, sometimes accidents can occur when using everyday items – even baby-specific items. Landry wants safety to be at top-of-mind when it comes to preventing these types of accidents. That’s why she’ll be heading a series of safety demonstrations for brands like Evenflo, Baby Bjorn and Nuna.

While the focus at the CARpet Safety Awareness Event will be on car safety, Landry says that other types of accidents should be brought to light as well.

“I would encourage parents to educate themselves, because once you know better you do better,” she says. “I always go to www.safekids.org for all questions concerning safety, especially car seat safety.”

As for car seat safety, Landry, like all safety experts, recommend:

  • Keeping your baby rear-facing for as long as possible. If possible, try keeping your baby in the rear-facing position up until age 2. Always double check the height and weight limit of your car seat and follow the recommendations – if even slightly off. Never risk it. Any variation can lead to serious injury or death.
  • Don’t place your child car seat in the front seat – ever. If the airbags deploy, your child can face serious head, neck and spinal injuries. Always seat your child in the rear passenger seat.
  • Tether your car seat when your child moves to the forward-facing position. Tighten and lock the seatbelt and the tether to ensure it is properly fastened. Always consult your child car seat user manual to ensure it is properly installed. Again, any variation in installation can lead to personal injury so simply do not do it.
  • Keep your kids in car seats and boosters for their age for as long as possible – that means until they reach least 65 to 80 pounds. Always double-check to ensure your child is seated in an appropriate seat. It makes sense to also double check on the tethers and anchor weight limits. They’ll eventually outgrow the tethers so be sure to check with your car seat manufacturer to determine when to make the change.
  • Don’t buy used unless you truly know the history of the car seat. When a car seat has been involved in a crash, it must be replaced. Please make sure to replace yours, too, if you have been involved in a car accident. Most insurance companies will compensate you for the car seat replacement.
  • If you’re ever unsure about the installation of your car seat, have it checked by a certified technician. Check with any of the popular children’s toy or supply chain stores to inquire about safety checks. They are most often free.

Here’s a statistic that’s frightening as much as it is illuminating: 73 percent of car seats are not used correctly. Don’t be a statistic. Do as the celebrities do and double-check (triple-check!) your car seats to ensure your child’s safety.

WHEN CHILDREN’S INJURIES OCCUR

As parents, we strive to keep our kids safe and injury-free. Unfortunately, accidents can happen. If your child was injured in a car accident, or if s/he was hurt due to a baby toy or product, you may be entitled to financial compensation. We offer completely FREE legal advice when it comes to filing a personal injury claim. Give us a call today to discuss your case: 1-858-551-2090.