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Cowen Cares: Tips to keep your child happy, safe and buckled-up.

The Cowen Law Group advocates child safety. As San Antonio car accident lawyers, we have handled way too many cases where a child was killed, permanently disabled or seriously injured in a South Texas car accident. In many cases, the child would have been fine if he was securely buckled into a properly installed child safety seat.

Many parents claim they would use a seat, but they find it hard to convince their child to sit in the car safety seat. So, we offer these tips to help keep your child safe and buckled up.

Remember, you are the boss and your child is safer in the seat than out. Yes, your child is not happy about the car seat right now, but just think about how unhappy you would be without your little screaming bundle. So, be strong. Don't give in and let your children ride without being buckled in -- not even one time and not even for just a block. There may be fussing at first, but your child will get used to it.

It may help to let your child know why the car seat, the booster seat, or the seat belt is necessary. Even a young child can understand that a car seat “keeps you nice and safe so you don’t get a big ouchy if we crash.” You can give more detail to an older child. If your child complains that his friends don't have to buckle in or use a booster, explain what can happen to their head, their spine, or their life in even a minor fender bender. Many police and fire departments have safety programs and they can provide you with materials and information.

Set an example. When you buckle everyone up, don’t forget yourself. Never let anyone else ride in your car without a seatbelt. Your children should see that wearing a seatbelt is just the way things are. You can even give your child the responsibility of making sure everyone is buckled in.

Prevent boredom. Give your child a soft toy to play with (You know how stuffed animals seem to reproduce all by themselves? I keep the extra stuffed animals in the car and my children are so excited to see them.) Or give them a drink or a snack.

On long trips, play a story on tape or back seat DVD – and take breaks. Stop every hour or two so your child can use the bathroom and run around.

Think comfort. For long trips, it might be helpful to place a small cardboard box under the child's feet. This prevents the full weight of her legs from resting on her knees and upper thighs, or from pulling at her lower back. (My kids rest their feet on the fabric bin of stuffed animals.)

Make sure the car seat is comfortable and fits properly for your child's age and weight. It shouldn’t be crooked or wobbly. Make sure the straps are tight enough, but not digging into a leg or pinching a stomach. If you have questions about installation or fit, call the Cowen Law Group.

We employ a certified child seat professional. You can click here for information about how to make a free appointment to make sure that you have the proper car seat, and that is it correctly installed.

If you have questions about car seats, car seat installation or your rights after a San Antonio car crash, contact the Brownsville car accident attorneys at Cowen Law Group. 1-877-385-1282.

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