Avoid Making Mistakes When Using Car Seats

Get a safety seat that is convenient to use. Make buckling a habit that you do not have to think about.

Follow these car seat safety rules.

1. Be Consistent

"We were only going down the block"..."He hates to ride in the car seat"..."I only took her out for a minute to calm her down"- Remember. One time only can result in a lifetime of regrets.

2. Choose the Right Seat

• a. Car seats should be for the right age, right weight and right height.
  
• b. Follow guidelines form NHTSA.gov and AAO.org.
  
• c. Follow the guidelines from the car seat manufacture.
  
• d. Each car is different. The car manual has it's set of guidelines.
  
• e. Seek the advise of a professional found at NHTSA.gov. Frequently an appointment and inspection fee might be applied.
  
• f. Never buy a used car seat. It maybe missing parts or expired. What do you do if you already have a seat from an older sibling? On the bottom of the car seat there is a date. It is considered safe for 10 years after that date. Check with the manufacture to make sure there aren't any recalls. These are updated yearly. Then make a visual inspection. Make sure the straps are not worn or frayed, that there are no cracks in the plastic, and that the seat was not involved in an auto accident. Again, you can have a "car seat clinic" check it out.

3. Installation

The majority of car seats are installed incorrectly. Mistakes include: seat belts that are not routed correctly, not putting the seat belt in lock mode, using both the lower anchor and the latch system of the seat belt,connecting the lower anchor of the latch system to the cargo hooks, not putting enough weight on the seat as it is being installed.

Confused? There are videos online at NHTSA.gov Follow from the car seat manufacture Read the car manual Seek the advise of a professional inspector found at NHTSA.gov

4.Do Not Forget To Use The Tether

The tether is used in forward-facing car seats. The tether is attached to anchor the seat behind to the head rest. The tether protects the child's head from hitting of the front seat, door frame or window by keeping the child's head within the parameters of the seat. The American Academy of Pediatrics gives complete details on the proper installation if the car seat. Parenting slide shows can be found at parenting.com. I can not stress enough that you should not do this alone. Seek the advise of a professional inspector., This could be the fire department, the police department or your local hospital. Contact information can be obtained at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA.gov. By having them say that you did it correctly gives you such piece of mind and ensures the safety of your newborn.

5. Fitting The Harness Correctly

The harness should be snug enough that you can only fit one finger between the child's collarbone and the harness strap. The chest straps should be even with the armpits. Children should not be wearing bulky clothing. Do not use accessories such as bundlers. The only thing that you should add to the car seat id the child

6. Do Not Face The Child Forward To Soon.

Remember right height, right weight and right age.

7. Do Not Get Rid of The Booster Too Soon

Keep the child in the booster seat til the seat belt fits properly. Seat belts were designed for people who are ate at least 4 feet 9 inches.tall. This may not be til the child is 10-12 years old or may be never. So, use good judgement. A seat belt that does not fit can cause more harm than good: piercing internal organs, damaging the spinal cord, seriously injury to the head. The child should pass the 5 Step Test created by Safety Belt Safe.USA.

8. Parents Not Wearing Seat Belts

A person without a belt in the back seat is 2-4 times more likely to die in a crash. There can be a danger to the child you are sitting next to. A person who weights 100 pound in a 30 mile per hour crash slamming into someone would have a force of gravity of 2000 pounds.

8. Not Traveling With Your Car Seat

Remember 60 % of crashes involving children happen within 10 minutes of home. Every day, we loss 4-5 children to car crashes. Every year, more than 90,000 children under the age of 8 are injured in a car crash or more than a 1000 are killed. Safety seats reduce the risk of injury or death in a collision.

9. Letting Kids Seat in The Front Seat Too Soon

Keep kids 13 and under safely buckled in the back seat, no exception.