Childrens Car Seat Safety

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Perhaps the most valuable investment you can make for your child’s safety is the proper car seat. Despite the obvious concern for child safety, parents misuse the seats on an average of 79.5 percent of the time, at least according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2005 study. By failing to properly use the safety restraints, the study reports, many parents unknowingly put their child in peril. In trying to make their child comfortable, many people leave the harness straps and safety belt attachments looser than they should be. Because they can cause so much harm to the child, it is those types of misuses that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration classify as ‘critical’.

Firstly, your duty should be to make sure your child is strapped in the seat made for his or her weight and height and in the correct position. Because they are designed for newborns, only infants that weigh less than 20 pounds and who are younger that one year should be placed inside a rear-facing car seat. Infant-only seats are designed for younger, smaller babies, so they are a good choice for your newborn; they offer a good fit and are conveniently small and portable. For your child’s protection, always place the infant only car seat in the back seat and always make sure it is positioned facing the rear.

Convertible seats provide a good opportunity to get the most bang for your buck, because they fit infants and still allow the baby to grow. Growth of the child is accommodated through the heavier convertible car seat. They are used in the rear-facing position for children under one year of age and for children over one year who do not yet weight 20 pounds. The seat should not be turned around until the child reaches the 20 pound weight requirement, or the 1 year age requirement, and at that stage, they can comfortably face front until they reach 40 pounds. Every parent must make sure that whichever style or type of safety seat they go with, they use correctly. There are two reading pieces that should help you learn how to do use the seat properly: the manufacturer guide that came with the seat and your own car’s vehicle guide. Two buckles must be fastened correctly: the one in car seat and the buckle connecting the seat to the car. Many parents are frustrated by harness straps, but they simply need to fit around the baby’s chest tightly and into the right slot. Always put the convertible car seat harness straps into slots above the baby’s shoulders, and aim below for the infant seats. The harness clip that holds the straps together should be at about armpit level and the straps should not be twisted: check the owner’s manual to confirm appropriate placement.

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Things to keep in mind about the seat belt are that many do not fasten them correctly; to avoid becoming one of those parents, make sure the belt is slid through the correct path and recline the seat by an angle of 45 degrees. To further secure your seat, place a rolled up towel underneath it. Make sure that the safety seat is fastened to your vehicle, and tighten the seat belt as needed. If you have a LATCH system, use it according to the instructions in your car seat guide and car ownership guide. If you purchase a seat that is not new, make sure you check it’s age and condition. Your seat should not be over five years old and you should never purchase any seat that does not include the manufacturer’s instructions. The seat does not have to be an expensive investment for those that cannot afford it, but if buying a cheaper seat, make sure it has its parts and has never been involved in an accident.