Child Car Seat Safety Recommendations
By Milos Pesic
Car accidents have been reported as the primary cause of children’s deaths in the United States. Thousands of children below the age of twelve were injured and died annually because of car crashes, and it is so sad to know that these accidents can’t be controlled and eliminated even if the driver is a professional or expert driver. But there’s still a piece of good news to that, that is, the risks of car accidents can be reduced by using the right or proper child safety car seat.
The child safety care seat now comes in a number of types and forms. The problem, however, is that with a myriad of types available for car seats, finding the right one can somehow be puzzling. It is even more puzzling with more and more models coming out in the market. Well, it is for this reason actually that these child car seat safety recommendations are given.
So what are these child car seat safety recommendations?
I have even stressed for these child car seat safety recommendations the car seat types best suited for weights and heights of children. So if you want to know these suggestions, consider the following:
Child Car Seat Safety Recommendation for Newborn and 1 Year Old Children
For the newborn and those who are at the age of 1, it is always best to use a rear-facing infant seat or a convertible seat in the rear-facing position. When installing the car seat, be sure to set the shoulder straps below the child’s shoulder level, and to ensure that what you’re doing is right, review the manufacturer’s instructions or manual thoroughly. This recommendation is also ideal for children up to 20 pounds and 26 inches long.
Child Car Seat Safety Recommendation for Children Age 1 to 4
For children age 1 to 4 or those who are up to 20 to 40 pounds and 26 to 40 inches tall, the use of a forward-facing seat or a convertible seat in the forward-facing position is often recommended. Also, it is best to position the straps at or above the shoulder level and still, for proper installation, it is always best to check and review the instruction manual.
Child Car Seat Safety Recommendation for Children Age 4 to 8
For those who are 40 to 80 pounds and 40 to 57 inches tall, a belt-positioning booster seat or a high-back is the perfect type of car seat to use for ultimate safety. It is best to choose the belt-positioning booster seat that uses the vehicle’s lap-shoulder belt. The key here is not to use a shield-type booster seat; but when it comes to installation, a thorough review of the instruction manual is highly recommended.
Car Seat Safety
By Alyice Edrich
If you are serious about protecting your children while in your car may I make a few suggestions.
- Before purchasing a new car seat, find out if it has been recalled due to safety issues. And don’t forget to check to see if your car’s seatbelt may be defected.
- When you don’t know which car seat to pick, visit forums where parents are discussing such issues. Knowing what other parents think, what experiences they’ve had, and why they decided the way they did could help you make an informed decision.
- Understand how car seats are supposed to work and be installed. When in doubt, read your instruction manual, visit sites like Keep Kids Healthy. Visit car seat inspection stations, or visit your local police station-they often have programs to help make sure your children are properly restrained.
- Always make sure the car seat you purchase fits properly in your vehicle.
- Always make sure the car seat you purchase fits the height and weight of your child.
- When the straps on your child’s car seat become too snug, or your child has difficulty sitting in his/her car seat comfortably, don’t wait. Get out there and buy a car seat that fits your child! Take the Safety Belt Fit test
- If the seatbelts in your car are not working properly, take your car in and have them fixed-they could truly mean the difference between life and death.
- Whenever possible place your child’s car seat in the middle of your back seat-away from either side of the vehicle.
- Make sure your child is in the rear facing position and at a 45 degree recline if he/she is under one year old. And always place rear facing car seats in the back seat-away from air bags.
- Never buy a car seat based solely on affordability-especially if it’s used.
- Throw away any car seat that has been in a motor vehicle accident!
- Once the car seat is positioned and belted, wiggle it around to make sure the car seat belt is holding the car seat in place. In other words, the car seat isn’t loose.
In the end, your child is only as safe as the precautions you take.
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Tags: Baby Car Seat, Baby Car Seat Guide, Baby Car Seat Tips, Car Seat, Car Seat Safety
