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3 Car Safety Tips All Rutland Parents Should Know

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New parents in the Rutland area often visit our dealership looking for a family-friendly Ford SUV. They want something with a lot of space, that is capable enough for winter driving, and won't break the bank... but most of all, they want a vehicle that is going to be safe.

The car you drive is only part of the equation, however. During September 17 through 23—Child Passenger Safety Week—various organizations will be running campaigns to increase awareness of safety measures many parents forget.

Top tether

According to Safe Kids Worlwide, as many as 64 percent of forward-facing child seats are installed without the top tether anchor. Without it, the car seat can tip forward in a crash, causing serious injury.

Using the right seat for your child's size

Make sure the car seat you choose is rated for your child's weight and height, and keep your child in a rear-facing seat until they outgrow it.

Booster seats

Older children who outgrow their forward-facing seats may be most at risk. Parents may think they're ready to ride using the vehicle's safety belts alone, and "tweens" may have an ego about using "kid seats"—however, seat belts are designed for adult-sized passengers, and kids up to 13 years old may need a booster seat to be secured correctly.

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