The Importance Of Childrens Car Seats

By Amanda Gamdana

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 know make sure of 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.

Convertible seats allow the safety seat to grow with the child. Unlike infant-only car seats, these types of seats are typically difficult to navigate because they need to be heavier so that the baby can grow into them. Convertibles should also be placed in the rear-facing position for infants under 20 pounds and younger than a year. Eventually, the infant will pass the height and weight requirement for infants; they should be placed facing the front of the car at the point and remain in their convertible seat until they reach 40 pounds.

Far more important than the style of seat is that the parent use it exactly as it was designed to be used. Read the seat's instructions and your vehicle owner's guide. 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. Always put the convertible car seat harness straps into slots above the baby's shoulders, and aim below for the infant seats. Check to make sure that the harness clip is at armpit level and that the straps are not twisted; check the owner's manual to optimize the placement.

Recline the seat back at 45 degrees, and slip the safety belt through the right path for the position you have the seat in. Purely for security basis, a rolled up towel slid beneath the base of the seat helps. Tighten the seat belt, as needed, to ensure the restraint is secured to your vehicle. The vehicle ownership manual and the car seat manufacturer guide will help you install your car seat in a LATCH system car. You should feel free to buy a used seat, but you should pay attention to the age and condition of it.

When buying a used seat, be sure to get one that has all its instructions and is less than five years old. Along with the owner's manual, your seat should have all its parts, and should have never been involved in any type of car accident. - 29952

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