General Motors has announced a recall of over 668,000 small SUVs in the United States due to concerns that child seats may not be able to be securely attached to the anchors. The recall pertains to certain models of the 2020 to 2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain SUVs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has stated that the rear-seat lower anchor bars may have been coated with too much powder, causing them to become too thick and preventing child seats from being properly installed.
GM has stated that no crashes or injuries have been reported as a result of this issue. However, the automaker is urging owners to install child seats using seatbelts until the latches can be repaired. Dealers will inspect the anchors and replace the finish if necessary. Owners will receive notification letters starting on June 26th.
This recall highlights the importance of ensuring that child seats are properly installed and secured in vehicles. According to the NHTSA, car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13, and proper use of child safety seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury by up to 71% for infants and up to 54% for toddlers.
It is crucial for parents and caregivers to follow the instructions provided with their child safety seats and to ensure that they are properly installed in their vehicles. The NHTSA recommends that child safety seats be installed in the back seat of a vehicle, as this is the safest place for children to ride. Additionally, parents should check their child safety seats regularly to ensure that they are still properly secured and that their child has not outgrown the seat.
In addition to following proper installation procedures, it is also important for parents and caregivers to choose the right type of child safety seat for their child’s age and size. The NHTSA provides guidelines for selecting the appropriate type of seat based on a child’s age and weight.
For infants, a rear-facing car seat should be used until the child is at least one year old and weighs at least 20 pounds. Toddlers should continue to ride in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer. Once a child outgrows a rear-facing car seat, they should be placed in a forward-facing car seat with a harness until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer.
Once a child outgrows a forward-facing car seat with a harness, they should be placed in a booster seat until they are big enough to use a seat belt without a booster. The NHTSA recommends that children continue to ride in the back seat of a vehicle until they are at least 13 years old.
By following these guidelines and ensuring that child safety seats are properly installed and secured, parents and caregivers can help keep their children safe while on the road. The recent recall by General Motors serves as a reminder of the importance of proper installation and maintenance of child safety seats.
If you own a 2020 to 2023 Chevrolet Equinox or GMC Terrain SUV, be sure to check for notification letters regarding this recall and follow the instructions provided by GM to ensure that your child’s safety seat is properly secured.
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