Tips to install baby car seats correctly in vehicles
As the use of child car seats has become more and more common, the need for parents to keep themselves well-informed about the types of car seats, their features, and usage and installation steps is important since it can mean the difference between life and death for their child in the event of as accident. So, first and foremost, parents should read the car seat manual carefully starting from the features of the car, correct installation procedure to the manufacturer’s advice on the tips for installing it in different positions. Be sure to buy the car seat that it most appropriate for your car, your infant, his age and weight. Then, know where all the airbags are in your car so that you can position the car seat away from the airbags.
For infants, starting from their birth till they are 6 months old, rear facing infant car seats should be used; the American Association of Paediatrics recommend that all infants must travel in the backseat rear facing till they reach the highest weight or height mentioned by the car seat’s manufacturer. Infant only seats are small and can be used only for infants in the age limit; convertible car seats on the other hand can be used rear faced for infants and front faced for older children. When using this infant seat, make sure that it fits in the car tightly and the harness fits the child comfortably; don’t place the seat with the child in it in the passenger seat since if the airbag blows up, it could hit the child and cause serious injuries. The harnesses of the seat should be at the slot or below the shoulder of the baby, know what sort of seat belts your car has and if they need locking clips; when using a convertible seat, make sure the seat belt goes through the correct path. Make sure the seat has been installed in the correct position; the head of the baby should not flop forward and it should be given maximum neck and back support.
When the baby reaches the maximum height and weight according to the manufacturer’s allowance, the toddler can ride in a forward facing seat. They can either continue using their convertible seats or they can either use forward facing toddler seats; these are used with a harness for toddlers between 40 to 80 pounds, combination seats are used with a harness for children weighing between 40 to 65 pounds and then as a booster for older kids. To switch a convertible car seat from a rear facing seat to forward facing seat, move the shoulder straps to the slot above or at your child’s shoulders, adjust the recline position of the seat according to the height of the child and the seat belt should run through the forward facing belt path. Newer vehicles come equipped with LATCH (Lower anchors and tethers for children) system; it is safety adjustment which has anchors attached to the back seat of the car. Car safety seats equipped with LATCH can be connected to these anchors for further protection and safety. Anchors and tethers keep the child’s head from moving too forward in a crash; check the instruction manual for confirming the above procedure.
Booster seats are for school aged children who have outgrown their previous safety seats; this can be confirmed by checking if the child is above the height and weight allowed by the manufacturer, the child’s shoulders are above the top harness slot and his ears have reached the top of the seat. These seats raise the child so that the lap and shoulder seat belts of the vehicle fit properly; the lap belt should lie low and comfortably across the child’s thighs and the shoulder belt across the middle of the child’s shoulder and chest. Obtain all information on installing and using any kind of car seat from the instruction manual, if there is doubt; don’t hesitate to contact the local certified CPS technician. Thumb rule to follow is that after installing the car safety seat, it should not move in any direction more than an inch; if it does, then it has not been installed correctly.
After observing the correct installation procedure and safety precautions, don’t forget to wear your own seatbelt; maintaining this practice can make parents role models for their children and encourage them to form a lifelong habit of following safety rules. Never leave your child unattended in a car or around one since anything dangerous can happen in the absence of the parents. Never forget to read the instruction manual carefully, also try to obtain the maximum amount of information on car safety seats and overall car travel safety for you child and yourself.
The car seat accessories and child car seats can make your trip hassle free, easy and convenient. For more information about baby car seats, you can visit Dependable Car Seats.
