Don’t Short Your Baby on Car Seat Protection

Parents go out of their way to choose the fitting car seat for their baby. They go completely out of their way to make sure that the little precious passenger they are bringing along is sufficiently protected. Yet currently , the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that, according to a multi-year study, misuse occurred in 3 quarters of the baby safety seats inspected.

The results of this study conclude that 3 of 4 parents put their children at risk while in vehicles unknowingly because they do not use the restraints properly. The most common mistakes found were loose harness straps and safety belt attachments. These seemingly innocent mistakes are viewed to be the most critical of mistakes because they can result in the worst injuries.

So how am I to know when my kid is safe or not?

First, make sure you are using the suitable seat – in the best position — for your baby’s age and weight. Most infant seats can be used in the rear-facing position for children under one year of age who have not yet reached 20 pounds.

For babies that are younger and smaller there are infant only seats that are designed especially for them and are a exceptionally good choice for newborn babies. They offer a good fit and are conveniently small and portable. These infant car seats should only be installed facing the rear of the vehicle and located in the back seat as with all car seats.

If you fancy a seat that will hold your baby as he grows, a convertible seat is another option. These are much bigger and heavier than a regular newborn car seat so they can be used as your kid ages and gets bigger.As with regular infant car seats, these convertible car seats are still to be used in the rear facing position for any child under 20 pounds and under a year old. After your baby reaches 20 pounds and it is their first birthday you can feel safe to turn the car seat around to face the front position. Most convertible seats accommodate children up to 40 pounds.

Proper use of a child’s car seat is an absolute necessity no matter which style you choose. If your car is newer then chances are it will have instructions for car seat installation so you need to pay attention to this as well as the manufacturers instructions on the seat. To be effective, your child’s seat must be buckled into the seat correctly, and the seat must be correctly buckled into your car.

Harness straps seem to be an area of particular difficulty for parents. In order for your kid to be safe, the harness needs to be fitted snugly to your babies chest and in the right slot position. The straps should be in the slots at or below your baby’s shoulders for most infant seats and at or above baby’s shoulders for more convertible seats. That clip that holds the two straps together should be around armpit level and the straps should not be twisted at all. You should always check the owner’s manual to confirm correct placement.

The use of safety belts is also a problem area. Be sure the seat belt follows the appropriate path for the position of the seat and recline the seat at about a 45-degree angle, if possible. A rolled towel under the base helps secure the seat into position. Tighten the seat belt, as needed, to ensure the restraint is secured to your vehicle. If your automobile has a LATCH system, use it according to the specifications of your baby’s seat and those of the vehicle owner’s manual.

Other important seat considerations include seat age and condition. If the car seat that you have isn’t something you purchased brand-new, you can find out the age by looking at the label. Don’t trust the safety of your child in a seat that is more than five years old and doesn’t have any manufacturers instructions along with it. It is critical that all the parts are there and that you know if the seat has been in any accidents. Don’t take a chance on anything you are unsure of.

Another extremely good idea is that if you are unsure about anything make sure that you take the seat to a safety seat technician and have it checked.Your baby’s life may depend on it.

There are many sites on the net to buy car seats for sale. If you are seeking convertible car seats then you will do very well on getting a good price by going to http://babystrollersandcarseats.net/convertible-car-seats.php

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