What You Need to Know About  Child Auto Safety

On the cherished day when you leave the hospital for the first time with your new bundle of joy you immediately become responsible for ensuring their safety. The first car ride is a nervous one and chances are you really thought about the auto seat your baby would be riding in.

Find Out Which Auto Seat is Best for Your Child

Obviously car seats are a must. They are required by law and are the biggest defense you have to keeping your baby safe in the event of a crash. Infants and toddlers are extremely susceptible to life threatening injuries during a car wreck and how well you execute your car seat installation is key to this safety.

The first thing to look for in a car seat is compatibility for your child. It should adhere to the age, weight, and size of your child. Longevity in a car seat is great, but don’t choose one that will be perfect for a toddler but seems lacking for an infant. It would be much wiser to just buy the one that works currently for your child.

The LATCH System Explained

In September 2002 vehicles began becoming equipped with a LATCH system. In essence this is a system of safety anchorage points that are bolted and welded to the frame of the vehicle which the car seat can be secured with. The acronym stands for lower anchors and tethers for children. It was devised to avoid the incompatibility that many vehicle owners had with finding good fitting car seats.

The LATCH system does not depend on the cars seatbelts to work properly. Instead a tether strap secured to the top of the car seat anchors to a point on the rear shelf area, floor or at the back of the rear seat. The lower anchors attach to the bottom of the car seat and also to an anchorage point between the car seats cushion and seat back. Once installed, it is best to leave them in and check them periodically for loosening.

Why Air Bags are Dangerous For Kids

The invention of air bags has saved many lives. The down side is that they have also injured many kids. Adults and teens are protected from injury by the implementation of air bags but infants and children can be injured or killed by the airbags themselves. This is why it is never good to put a child in the front seat of the car.

The force of an airbag opening at 200 mph towards the head and neck of a small child can be fatal. Enforce seat belt and car seat use in your car at all times. Before your car is even put into motion, ensure that every passenger is buckled appropriately. Remind older children that a seat belt should fit them snugly and check to make sure that the lap and shoulder belts are positioned properly across their hips and shoulder.