Child Safety Seats Tips

Luckily when choosing the right car seat for your baby you may find that it is harder to decide on a color and style than it is to find the right type. Infant seats are limited to two different choices. For an infant you either need an infant only rear facing seat (the kind that fits in a base) or a rear facing convertible seat. Either type is a safe choice.

Where most of us go wrong is how well we install them. No matter how state of the art the seat if it is installed improperly it greatly increases the chance your infant will be seriously injured in a crash. Even the most seasoned car seat installing moms make common mistakes that can be deadly. Taking the few minutes to review this checklist may mean the difference between life and death if your family is involved in a wreck.

 

Things to Remember About Your Infant Car Seat

We all know that no infant should be put in the front seat. This is especially true if the front seat has an air bag. No matter how tempted you are to put your little one where you can see them, the back seat is always the right choice. The harness straps over the shoulders should always be routed through slots that are at or below shoulder level.

Keeping them flat and unkinked is not only more comfortable but safer as well. On cold days do not feel tempted to keep your infant snuggled in their blanket sleeper to take a car ride. Clothes should allow the straps to go through legs. They can be adjusted to fit over a thicker coat or sweater but should not be loosened to an extent where they inhibit safety. Take the heavy coat off your baby and cover him with a warm blanket instead.

Helpful Reminders to Keep Your Family Riding Safely in the Car

All infants seem awkward in a car seat. To prevent them from slouching place rolled towels or receiving blankets along the sides or between their legs. All of the newer model seats are required to come equipped with a tether strap. Most newer cars accommodate tether straps. Using the tether system is the safest way to install the seat. You can rest assured knowing the seat is bolted to floor or window frame.

This system can prevent the seat from being thrown forward in the case of a crash. If your seat does not have a tether strap, contact the manufacturer. Most car seat manufacturers offer a kit you can buy so you too can use the tether system in your vehicle. If you have installed your seat correctly and it still seems to wiggle around and not fit just right, the tether system may be the solution to all your problems.

How to Know if Your Hand Me Down Seat is Safe to Use

As far as car seats go there are just a few things to keep in mind. If your seat is made before January 1981, do not use it. All seats should have a label that clearly states the date of manufacture and a model number. If the label is missing then choose to find a different seat. Also if your car seat has ever been involved in an accident of any kind you definitely don’t want to keep using it.

Some of the parts could have inadvertently been damaged. Check your seat to make sure there are no cracks in the frame and to ensure that all the original parts are present. If it is a hand me down, contact the manufacturer directly to obtain a new instruction manual. This way you know your inspection is thorough. The manufacturer can also tell you of any recalls of your particular model number.

Why Your Older Kids Should Stay in the Back Seat

As your child grows, you will undoubtedly be faced with the willful nagging by your child to be allowed to ride without the seat. Unfortunately for your child, they should remain in the seat until they can sit accurately in a seat belt. This means that the lap belt will be low and flat across their hips and the shoulder belt will lie across their shoulders, not their neck of throat.

It is never smart to modify the seatbelts to make them fit bigger kids. If your back seat only has lap belts available check out the cost of having lap-shoulder belts installed. This will ensure the safety of older kids more efficiently. Remember and try to tell your bigger kids that seatbelts are designed for adults. Most agencies recommend your child be 5 feet tall and over 85 pounds before they should sit in just the regular seatbelt.