Companies that make booster seats for vehicles are apparently getting better at designing these to actually protect children. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently tested 53 new booster seats and determined that 48 of them received a non-profit’s highest ratings. Only two booster seats made by a Canadian company were not recommended. When a child outgrows a seat with a built-in harness, a booster seat can be an excellent opportunity to protect the child in the event of an accident.

Booster seats are ideal for children between the ages of 4 and 8, who have outgrown their other car seats. The boosters help the vehicle’s seatbelts fit more appropriately on children. Those individuals who place their children in a booster seat give their children a 45% less chance of being significantly injured in a crash compared to just using a seatbelt. Across the United States, booster seats are required by law. Having the right size seat in line with your child’s height, weight, and age, is extremely important for preventing the deadly impacts of vehicle accidents.

Although seat belts are designed to help young adults and adults minimize their injuries in the event of an accident, their specifications will not help children. Make sure that you read the fine print when purchasing booster seats to ensure that your child is the appropriate fit for the model you purchase. Be aware that purchasing such an item used does not guarantee it will work as safely as a new version. A used model could have already been damaged in a previous accident. It’s also equally important to install any booster seat the right way. Manufacturer instructions and videos can be very helpful for this purpose.

The Insurance Institute says that a parent should always do his or her research before purchasing a booster seat for their child. Children being injured in a car crash could lead to significant injuries and developmental disabilities. Consulting with an experienced attorney as soon as possible after an accident has happened may be the best way to recover compensation.