Basic Car Seat Safety
- By David Cummings
- Published 08/26/2009
- Family
David Cummings
View all articles by David Cummings
Parents are always concerned for the safety of their
babies. One of the most important products you need to get
for your baby is a car seat. Hospitals do not let you bring
your baby home without inspecting your car seat. Keep these
basic safety tips in mind when you shop for and install
your baby's car seat.
Correct Installation Is Essential
The most important factor in using a car seat safely, other
than choosing the right car seat for your child's
developmental stage, is to install the car seat correctly.
Read the owner's guide before you attempt installation. If
your car is equipped with the LATCH tether system, use it,
as this is the safest way to install a car seat. Make sure
the car seat is at the correct angle, as dictated by the
owner's manual. Once you have a seat installed, have a car
seat technician inspect it. Your hospital or local health
department should be able to direct you to a place where
you can have this inspection done, and they are usually
free.
Watch the Weight Limits
All car seats have height and weight limits, which are on a
sticker somewhere on the seat as well as in the owner's
manual. Make sure you know what these are. Most rear-facing
infant carrier type car seats are only made to carry a
child who is less than 25 pounds. If your baby is larger
than average, a convertible car seat may be necessary to
keep your child rear facing until she is one, as she will
more than likely outgrown the carrier style seat.
Avoid Used Car Seats
Used car seats may seem like a good deal, but the truth is
that you do not know about the seat's history. A car seat
which has been in an accident may look perfectly safe even
though it has incurred damage. Car seats are not intended
to be used after a crash. Also, used seats usually do not
have instructions. They may also have parts missing that
you do not know about just by looking at the seat. If your
budget forces you to purchase a used car seat, only buy
from a trusted source and check the manufacturer' s website
to assure all parts are included.
Under 1 Year - Rear Facing Is Best
All infants who are under the age of one and weigh 20
pounds or less must be rear facing. You can put your child
in a forward facing seat once both these conditions have
been met. However, it is safest to keep the child rear
facing as long as you possibly can. This means as long as
the convertible seat is still safe for your child's age and
height. Your child's legs will be cramped, but this does
not mean he is not safe. If you feel you must turn the seat
around, make sure the child is both one year old and weighs
more than 20 pounds.
If you follow these guidelines you will be able to help
keep your baby safe while traveling in your car.
babies. One of the most important products you need to get
for your baby is a car seat. Hospitals do not let you bring
your baby home without inspecting your car seat. Keep these
basic safety tips in mind when you shop for and install
your baby's car seat.
Correct Installation Is Essential
The most important factor in using a car seat safely, other
than choosing the right car seat for your child's
developmental stage, is to install the car seat correctly.
Read the owner's guide before you attempt installation. If
your car is equipped with the LATCH tether system, use it,
as this is the safest way to install a car seat. Make sure
the car seat is at the correct angle, as dictated by the
owner's manual. Once you have a seat installed, have a car
seat technician inspect it. Your hospital or local health
department should be able to direct you to a place where
you can have this inspection done, and they are usually
free.
Watch the Weight Limits
All car seats have height and weight limits, which are on a
sticker somewhere on the seat as well as in the owner's
manual. Make sure you know what these are. Most rear-facing
infant carrier type car seats are only made to carry a
child who is less than 25 pounds. If your baby is larger
than average, a convertible car seat may be necessary to
keep your child rear facing until she is one, as she will
more than likely outgrown the carrier style seat.
Avoid Used Car Seats
Used car seats may seem like a good deal, but the truth is
that you do not know about the seat's history. A car seat
which has been in an accident may look perfectly safe even
though it has incurred damage. Car seats are not intended
to be used after a crash. Also, used seats usually do not
have instructions. They may also have parts missing that
you do not know about just by looking at the seat. If your
budget forces you to purchase a used car seat, only buy
from a trusted source and check the manufacturer' s website
to assure all parts are included.
Under 1 Year - Rear Facing Is Best
All infants who are under the age of one and weigh 20
pounds or less must be rear facing. You can put your child
in a forward facing seat once both these conditions have
been met. However, it is safest to keep the child rear
facing as long as you possibly can. This means as long as
the convertible seat is still safe for your child's age and
height. Your child's legs will be cramped, but this does
not mean he is not safe. If you feel you must turn the seat
around, make sure the child is both one year old and weighs
more than 20 pounds.
If you follow these guidelines you will be able to help
keep your baby safe while traveling in your car.