The Role Of Childrens Car Seats
A properly purchased and applied car seat is a product that parents consistently spend vast amounts of money on. Yet, in 2005, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that, according to a multi-year study, misuse occurred in 79. Misusing the safety restraints was the big area where people messed up, according to the study. The most common mistakes found were loose harness straps and safety belt attachments. ‘Because they can cause so much harm to the child, it is those types of misuses that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration classifies as ‘critical’.
So how do you make sure you keeping your newborn safe?
Always use the correct seat for your baby’s age and weight and in the correct position. For children who are a year old and not yet 20 pounds, they can usually be placed in a rear-facing position in their car seats. For both their size and their design, infant-only seats are carefully crafted especially for the smaller children. Make sure your infant car seat is placed in the back seat of your car, and only in the rear-facing position.
Many parents do not see the purpose of an infant-only seat, choosing instead to go with a more flexible convertible seat. Out of necessity to accommodate a growing child, these car seats are larger and more bulky. Convertible seats allow parents to put any child that would be placed in a rear-facing infant-only seat in the same position. You can go ahead and place any child that is 20-40 pounds in a front-facing position. Far more important than the style of seat is that the parent use it exactly as it was designed to be used.
Make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions, as well as your vehicle owner’s manual. There are two sets of buckles to worry about: those that put the baby into place, and those that do the same for the car seat. The slot position and a firm fit are important for the harness straps in particular. Above or at the shoulder is where the straps should go into the slots for convertible car seats, while below is a good place to measure for infant-only. You’ll want to re-read your owner’s guide to the seat, but most guidelines for harness clips sit them at armpit level, around straps that you want to make sure are not twisted.
For correct seat belt placement, follow the path that is detailed in your owner’s guide, and tilt the seat back by about 45 degrees when possible. A helpful tip is a rolled towel underneath the base. An additional tightening of the safety belt is sometimes needed to make sure the safety seat is secure. All cars that come with a LATCH system should have instructions in their owner guides about how to use them with a car seat; consult your owner’s guide and your safety seat guide.
You should feel free to buy a used seat, but you should pay attention to the age and condition of it. Do not purchase a seat older than five years, and do not purchase one that does not include instructions. Inquire from the previous owner if the seat has ever been in an accident, and if it has, do not buy it; also make sure you are only purchasing a seat that has all its parts.
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